Caring for elderly parents is an act of love that involves tremendous responsibility and, at times, can cause overwhelming pressure. Of course, you’r e happy to do it, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have days filled with profound emotional, physical, and even mental challenges. Balancing the caregiving responsibilities you’ve taken on while trying to manage your own mental well-being can be difficult, especially if you’re feeling trapped caring for your elderly parents.
Learning effective tips that help you on your journey ensures you can figure out how to care for elderly parents without losing yourself in the process.
Keep reading to learn more about taking care of elderly parents.
1. Establish a Routine
Establishing and maintaining a consistent routine is helpful when caring for elderly parents. Routines provide structure, security, and predictability — things that can be especially beneficial when caring for someone with dementia or emotional instability. A regular schedule can reduce anxiety, confusion, and feelings of helplessness as aging parents come to terms with their new reality. It can be difficult for older seniors to accept that they may not be able to fully care for themselves anymore.
A routine can also help you feel in control and like you have order in your home life.
Establish a routine that includes meals, medications, and physical and mental activity, and don’t forget about leisure or downtime. Having a schedule in place creates a reassuring environment that your elderly parents will come to depend on.
“While we all may recall that routines were helpful throughout our lifetime, that is especially important when in a caregiving role. Caregiving can become all-consuming both practically and emotionally. Therefore, maintaining a routine to prioritize your own self-care and well-being will allow you to better care for your elder over the long haul. This is where the saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup” really needs to be kept in mind.”
– Talkspace therapist Jill Daino, LCSW-R, BC-TMH
2. Ensure Regular Medical Check-Ups
Regular check-ups are essential to an effective care plan for monitoring health and early detection of potential issues. They’re also an opportunity to adjust medication and ensure effective management of chronic conditions.
To ensure comprehensive care, keep up with routine screenings, vaccinations, and specialty consultations and maintain an up-to-date record of all medical visits, tests, outcomes, future appointments, and medication refills to ensure your aging loved ones receive the best care possible.
3. Create a Safe Living Environment
Safety is paramount when caring for elderly parents. As people age, mobility and vision can decline, increasing the risk of falls or other accidents. Adapting the living environment can reduce these risks and foster a sense of independence and comfort.
Install grab bars in the bathroom, remove tripping hazards like loose rugs, ensure adequate lighting at night, and make sure frequently used items are within easy reach.
4. Encourage Physical Activity
Encourage physical activity when caring for aging parents, as this supports health and vitality. Exercise improves balance, flexibility, and strength and reduces the risk of falls and injuries. Even minimal physical activity offers significant benefits, like cardiovascular health, mood boosts, and enhanced cognitive function.
Encourage elderly parents to get as much physical activity as possible. Some possible options include:
- Slow walks
- Gentle stretching
- Low-impact exercises like swimming
Even light activities can improve overall mental and physical well-being, reducing the need for long-term care.
5. Foster Social Connections
Social interaction is imperative for emotional and mental well-being and for avoiding the isolation and loneliness that are common in older adults.
Encouraging your parents to maintain relationships with family, friends, and community members will enhance quality of life, offer motivation, and provide emotional support. Plan regular visits, phone calls, participation in community events, or attendance at social events that your parents would enjoy.
6. Manage Medications Effectively
Medication management can become a complex, daunting task as we age. Research suggests up to 69% of older patients made medication mistakes in the last 6 months.
Making sure medication is taken correctly and consistently can help prevent adverse reactions, accidental overdose, or interactions from occurring, especially when multiple prescriptions are involved.
Consider the following tips for effective medication management:
- Regularly review medications with a healthcare provider to ensure that treatment plans are up-to-date and as effective as possible.
- Keep an updated, easily accessible list of all medications.
- Create a medication schedule or use a pill organizer to help with proper dosage and timing.
7. Plan Nutritional Meals
Proper nutrition helps maintain health and energy levels. Because dietary needs change as people age, meal plans may need to be periodically adjusted. Balanced meals should be rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
When planning meals, consider any dietary restrictions or medical conditions that might demand specific nutrition plans, such as a low-sodium diet for heart disease or a low-sugar one for diabetes.
8. Monitor Mental Health
When it comes to taking care of aging parents, mental health is as important as physical health.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 20% of people 55 years and older have 1 or more mental health issues — the most common being anxiety, mood disorders, and severe cognitive impairments. Encourage open communication and seek professional mental health as needed — and always be sure to share any concerns with a primary doctor.
Activities that stimulate the mind — like puzzles, reading, or hobbies — help maintain mental sharpness and improve mood, and are an integral part of senior care.
9. Utilize Respite Care
Caregiving is physically and emotionally demanding, so taking care of yourself is an integral part of the equation. Taking breaks helps you avoid caregiver burnout. If you’re a family caregiver and don’t have help, respite care can offer relief by allowing someone else to take over duties for a short period of time. Using respite care gives you a chance to rest and recharge without worrying that your elderly parents aren’t getting the care they need.
You can arrange respite care through home care services, adult daycare centers, or temporary stays at assisted living facilities.
10. Educate Yourself on Elderly Care
If you’ve just recently begun taking care of your elderly parents, remember that knowledge is power. Educate yourself on the aging process and common health issues and get up to date on caregiving techniques. Staying informed allows you to anticipate challenges and make informed decisions so you can provide the best care possible.
Numerous resources are available to learn about caring for aging parents. Books, online courses, and support groups offer valuable information and advice when needed. Educating yourself is key to managing caregiving responsibilities effectively.
11. Seek Financial and Legal Advice
As your parents age, financial and legal planning becomes increasingly important. Take the time to understand their financial situation thoroughly. Find out about savings, pensions, and insurance policies. Learn how Medicare works and what benefits are available so access to care is more accessible and less stressful.
You should also find out if your parents had a will, trust, or any other estate planning done. A financial planner can help you plan for expenses like medical care or long-term care facilities. Get legal advice when managing wills, powers of attorney (POAs), and healthcare directives to respect last wishes and feel prepared to handle future legal matters. This will ensure that your parents’ needs are met in accordance with their wishes.
12. Discuss Living Arrangements
One of the most important decisions you’ll face when caring for an older person is determining their living arrangements. As a family member, it’s crucial to evaluate your senior parent’s needs to ensure they are in a safe and supportive environment. Whether they remain in their home, move in with you, or transition to an assisted living facility, the decision should prioritize their well-being and comfort.
Open and honest discussions with your senior parent about their preferences and needs can lead to a living arrangement that offers both safety and independence. Involving them in the decision-making process can help alleviate any feelings of loss or anxiety. Caregiver support groups can also provide valuable insights and advice as you navigate these decisions.
13. Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of aging parents can be all-consuming, but you can’t afford to neglect your own health and mental well-being. Practicing self-care means you’ll be a more effective caregiver. Ignoring your needs can lead to caregiver depression, which may hinder your ability to provide the best care.
Some helpful self-care tips we recommend include:
- Getting enough rest
- Eating well
- Exercising
- Making time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation
- Connecting with friends, family, or support groups if you need emotional relief
Remember that self-care for caregivers is just as vital as caring for your loved ones.
Embracing Effective Caregiving Strategies
Caring for elderly parents can be rewarding but also challenging. The tips and strategies here are designed to help you balance the demands of caregiving with taking care of yourself.
As you navigate this journey, know that you’re not alone. Seeking professional care and support — from healthcare providers, friends and family, financial advisors, or mental health professionals — is critical to successfully managing your responsibilities. Talkspace can be an invaluable resource for getting expert guidance and support tailored to your needs, so you can find a balanced caregiving approach.
Whether you need online therapy for yourself or your parents would like to start online therapy covered by Medicare, connect with Talkspace for support.
Sources:
- Langhammer B, Bergland A, Rydwik E. The Importance of Physical Activity Exercise among Older People. BioMed Research International. 2018;2018:1-3. doi:10.1155/2018/7856823. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6304477/. Accessed August 11, 2024.
- Ghassab-Abdollahi N, Nadrian H, Shaseb E, Kheirollahi N, Hashemiparast M. Self-administration medication errors at home and its predictors among illiterate and low-literate community-dwelling older adults with polypharmacy: A negative binomial hierarchical regression. PLoS ONE. 2024;19(4):e0302177. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0302177. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0302177. Accessed August 11, 2024.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. Issue Brief #1: What Do the Data Tell Us?; 2006:1-6. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/mental_health.pdf. Accessed August 11, 2024.
Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards.
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
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