Key Actions to Take When Elderly Parents Need Support
It’s never easy watching our parents grow old. It can be an emotional and challenging experience to see the people who once cared for us, now needing support themselves. It feels like a total role reversal that you’re in no way prepared for. Knowing where to start when thinking about how to support an elderly parent can feel overwhelming. Whether they’re struggling with mobility, facing health challenges, or simply need help with their day-to-day activities a little more than normal, making the right choices to support them can improve their comfort, safety, and well-being.
If you’re realising that your parent may need some support in these areas, these practical steps can help you get started. All of the advice here will allow you to support your elderly parents while helping them maintain some level of independence, and more importantly, their dignity.
Assessing Your Parents’ Needs
Before making any real decisions, the first thing you should do is sit down and speak with your parent to evaluate their needs. Start with questions like are they struggling with mobility? Do they need assistance with daily tasks, like dressing, taking medication or driving? Are there any adaptations that could be made around the home to make their life easier?
Simple solutions such as installing handrails or providing supportive ergonomic chairs can make a huge difference. If your elderly parent is experiencing limited mobility, investing in a rising or reclining chair can help them stand up and sit down much more easily.
Help Make Their Home Safer and More Comfortable
For elderly people living on their own, falls can be one of the most common concerns. There are a number of precautions you could take to prevent accidents.
1. Install grab rails in key areas, such as bathrooms and near steps or staircases.
2. Make use of non-slip mats.
3. Ensure proper lighting is installed to help reduce falls. Where possible, motion-sensor lights can be installed and are a great help to your elderly parent to ensure that the path ahead of them is clear, without having to fumble in the dark for a light switch.
4. Consider a personal alarm or monitoring system. Individuals at risk can wear a necklace or bracelet with an alarm button that, when pressed, alerts you or a support system in the event that they fall or need help. Some personal alarms also have built-in fall detectors so that you can be alerted if your parent is unconscious or is unable to raise the alarm themselves.
Encourage Social Connection and a Wide Support System
Isolation can play a huge part in the decline of an elderly parent’s health. As such, it’s important that your parent feel that they have a strong community around them. To help combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, work with your parent to arrange various support systems.
- Plan a schedule for visits from family and friends
- Help them find and join local social clubs or community programmes
- Help them get to grips with modern technology so they can stay connected to loved ones who may not live locally
Ensuring that there is a space in their home where they can comfortably meet with visitors is key. A couple of well-placed high-back chairs make for a great social area.
Seek Professional Help When Needed
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you may not be able to provide your elderly parent with the support they require on your own. In these instances, it’s important to contact professional medical providers for advice and additional support. If your parent requires medical care, personal assistance or regular check-ins that you can’t provide, consider reaching out.
- Speak to your parent’s GP about available support services
- Look into hiring a professional carer for extra at-home support
- Explore respite care options to provide short-term support
- Research care homes if this is a step your parent is ready to take
Professional advice can take some of the pressure off your shoulders and provide peace of mind to your whole family, knowing that your elderly parent will receive the care they need.
Supporting an elderly parent can be a journey that requires love, patience, understanding, and practical solutions. Assessing their needs, making adjustments where possible and seeking out support from family and friends or professionals can make all the difference. If you’re looking for high-quality and supportive furniture to help in the process, our furniture solutions can make your parent’s day-to-day life more safe and comfortable.
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