subject: How To Take Care Of An Aging Parent: Tranquility And Peace Of Mind [print this page] Growing older is a natural processGrowing older is a natural process. It doesn't have to be sad; it should be comfortable. If you are watching your parent or parents grow older and recognize that they need help, read this article to gain a better sense of what you can do to make the aging process as easy as possible.
1. Red Flags: Bookkeeping can be especially difficult for the elderly. Look for collection notices, canceled checks, extraneous payments, donations and other weird expenditures.
2. The House: Some older folks are extremely stern when it comes to their home they don't like change, and wouldn't want to move for anything. But if they can no longer navigate steps, and their finances are running low, it makes sense to downsize. Selling a larger home for a smaller apartment or condo can easily given them a lot of profit. Or, a reverse mortgage is an option. These loans take home equity and convert it into cash.
3. Financial Planner: A financial planner may be able to help your parents. Fee-only planners do not sell you financial products in order to make commissions. Though they can be up to $300 an hour, it's a long term investment.
4. Mood: If your parents are in markedly worse moods, they could be suffering from depression. Continuing their old routines is a good way to make them feel better, as is exercise. Too many older folks struggle to get around and lack the exercise they need to feel good about life and their ability to move through it.
5. How Involved: Some aging parents want their children around, even though they may not express it. Others may feel like they can still manage on their own, and reject your offerings. Still others may not even realize they need help. Leaving your parents to continue their routine is okay but what's not okay is when they are endangered by home hazards, or are living uncomfortably.
6. How Long: Maybe your parents are just entering decline. They may need your help for decades. You don't have to decide how long you want to help them, but you should understand the level of commitment they may need. Certain things like grocery shopping, making food, doing errands, laundry, medicine, and financial support can be very taxing, and we often take these abilities for granted when we're young. But as folks age, these daily aspects of life, like personal hygiene, eventually give way to incontinence and Surecare diapers. If they need you for all of these chores, you may have to hire a caregiver, or ask a sibling for help.
Taking good care of your parents shouldn't be a burden you should do it out of concern for their well being. If it becomes just an added worry, you might want to think about nursing homes, or live-in help. These methods can take the stress off of you, and give you more peace and tranquility.
by: Mark Etinger
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