When your parents reach their senior years, they are likely to require some extra support to maintain a safe and comfortable lifestyle. You may be worried about the health and safety of an elderly parent, especially if they live alone. Luckily, there are dozens of ways to support an elderly parent without taking away their independence or freedom. Here are five steps you can take to support elderly parents:<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 1: Have an open conversation about their needs\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

As your parents get older, you should have an open conversation about their needs. Encourage your parents to discuss how they are feeling about the changes brought on by aging. Ask your parents to make you aware if they are struggling with certain activities and require any support. Your parents will likely have care needs as they get older, especially if they develop health conditions such as physical disabilities or dementia. Following a conversation about their needs, you should be able to make the necessary changes to improve your elderly parents\u2019 quality of life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For instance, a professional cleaner could be hired so that your parents don\u2019t need to worry about cleaning and other household chores. Keep in mind that the needs of an elderly person can change quickly, so it\u2019s a good idea to have this discussion regularly. If it is obvious that an elderly parent has care needs, then you can arrange for a professional to <\/span>carry out a needs assessment<\/span><\/a> to determine the level of care required.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2: Offer support when they need it\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Everyday activities can become more strenuous when people get older, particularly if they have medical conditions affecting their mobility and function. Some assistance with daily tasks can have a significant impact on an elderly person\u2019s quality of life and help to reduce stress and injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you live nearby, then try to support your elderly parents as much as possible. You could offer to do their weekly grocery shopping or pop round at the weekend to do their laundry, for instance. Assisting with their chores can be an excellent way to support an elderly parent while allowing them to maintain their independence as much as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep in mind that your parents may be resistant to your help in the beginning, but it\u2019s important to consistently offer support when they need it. If you are unable to help your elderly parents with tasks because you live far away, then consider whether a professional in-home carer could be beneficial. Discuss this option with your parents and see if it they would be open to trying it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 3: Create a safe living environment<\/b><\/h2>\n

An increasing number of seniors are choosing to live at home, rather than move into residential care homes. Living at home can offer benefits, but it can also put seniors at risk of accidents and injuries. According to a recent <\/span>report by the CDC<\/span><\/a>, seniors have roughly 38 million falls each year, resulting in almost 8 million fall injuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>