Caring for Aging Parents: Ways in Which to Manipulate Some of the Most Difficult Issues

When caring for an aging parent, there are many facets of your life that must be altered. From issues regarding healthcare, safety and general social needs, an aging parent will require, and demand, many hours of your day.

As a child who is caring for an aging parent, you may often feel frustrated at the seemingly never ending needs of your parent. While you work diligently to make sure their health and essential needs are met, there are times when your parent may require, and demand, time and attention that is not necessary.

To ensure you do not build resentment towards your aging parent, it is important to understand and practice the ways in which you can manage the unreasonable demands of your parent. Begin by always setting aside a reasonable time to spend with your parent so they will know when to expect you. When your aging parent demands your time and attention outside of this scheduled period, be sure to assess what their true needs are and, if there is no emergency issue, be strict upon yourself to comply with your scheduled visits. Because an aging parent can be persistent, consider using an answering machine or voice mail to screen your calls as you never want to be readily available to the parent, 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

Another key area of concern, when caring for an aging parent, is the issue of their independence and freedom to drive. While we would all like to see our parents age independently, this is simply not the case for many. If you fear your aging parent may be losing the ability to drive, either by loss of coordination or by loss of vision, it may be time to contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles and arrange for an eye exam and driver's test. If your parent does not pass the test, the DMV may take their license away, leaving your parent to feel some resentment at the loss of their independence. When this occurs, be sure to reach out to your local resources and find alternative transportation options as, without it, your aging parent may rely, heavily, upon you to take them from destination to destination.