Elder Care: Helping Our Aging Parents

Elder Care

The issue nobody wants to think about. One day your parents are vital, functioning human beings. Before you know it, they are old!

What happened? How did it happen? One minute they were taking care of us and in the blink of an eye, they need us to take care of them.

Years ago this wasn't a problem. Our parents didn't live as long as they are living now. Of course, that is a good thing. But, at some point they become feeble.

They can't manage taking care of their home. You don't want to see them behind the wheel. You notice their memory is not what it should be.

Yes, you are a member of the "aging parents club".

You may live next door, across the country or in another country altogether. But when the time comes when we have to admit our parents are in need of assistance, we are the ones they look to.

Things were simpler in the "old days". Usually the whole family lived together. A son or daughter married and lived in the family homestead. Everybody looked after each other.

Life expectancy was not what it is today. Elder care was not an issue.

Today we are living longer. And the statistics continue to change. Elder care is now a cultural certainty. And with it comes an avalanche of questions.

When do we have "the talk" with them? Do they need a nursing home? Assisted living? What is they have dementia? What are their health problems? If you live close by, it's easier to assess the situation. But what if you live thousands of miles away? What do you do?

The first thing is to take a real hard look at the situation. See it for what it is. And, remember to be firm.

You have made a transition. From child to parent. Nobody will be happy with this new arrangement. Not you and certainly not your parents.

You'll have to deal with stress and a feeling of helplessness. Hopefully, you will have a support system. If you are without a supportive partner or siblings, the road will be bumpier.

But, it's a path most of us will have to take. It's not fun. At times you'll feel like you will lose your mind. But you will do what needs to be done.