Transitioning into Caregiving: How Adults Can Support Their Ageing Parents

Collaborative post by another author. Once upon a time, you looked to your parents for everything. They took care of your needs and wants for years, and helped you become the person you are today. But, as our parents age, so does the dynamic of our relationship with them.

It’s not uncommon for adult children to take on caregiver roles as their parents enter later stages of life. While those roles can be rewarding and serve as a way to show love and give back, they don’t come without challenges.

If your parents are starting to show signs that they need help with things on a daily basis it might be time to start thinking about transitioning into a caregiver role. Doing so effectively requires planning, empathy and a willingness to rely on resources and support.

Caring for your ageing parents can be rewarding and eye-opening, but it’s important to know the best ways to support them while maintaining your own well-being.

caregiving for your loved ones how to support the transition

How adults can support their ageing parents

Create a Caregiving Plan

If you want to keep stress levels low from the start, plan ahead. Consider what’s best for your parents as well as yourself. Discuss a caregiving plan with them that caters to everyone’s needs. A basic caregiving plan should include things like who will be the power of attorney for your parents, basic contact information and their last will and testament. It should also include when and where they might want to stay if they are no longer able to care for themselves.

If your parent is adamant about staying home, your caregiving plan should include safeguarding their house as much as possible. Things like installing non-slip flooring, upgrading alarm systems, renovating the bathrooms for better accessibility and adding a stairlift are all great ways to reduce the risk of falling and boosting your parents’ safety.

Keep in mind, however, that even if your parent is physically and mentally able to care for themselves, isolation can be extremely harmful. It can lead to issues like:

Reduced immunity
Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Dementia
Depression

Making sure your parent stays social is essential for their well-being. That might require at least one family member to visit each day. Alternatively, you might decide it’s better for them to move in with you or into a retirement community.

Making Moves

If you and your parents have decided that moving is the best option for them, consider how it might make them feel. Even if they agree to it, the idea of moving can be overwhelming for an older person. That’s especially true if they’re moving out of a home they’ve been in for years.

Make sure to prioritise communication throughout the moving process. Explain why it’s a good idea and what they can expect throughout the move as well as in their new location. Try to make the process as stress-free as possible for them by planning ahead, hiring movers and getting everything taken care of in their new location. That could include setting up utilities, finding a new doctor or simply decorating in a way that makes them feel more at home. If they’re staying with you, consider setting up their bedroom in a similar way to how they had it decorated and organised in their own home.

Because moving can be such an overwhelming experience, make sure to reduce stress in other areas of their lives. Schedule appointments for them, keep reminders around the home and help them stick to a daily routine. Arrange for regular check-ins with family members and use technology to your advantage to keep in touch on a daily basis.

Taking Care of Yourself

As the old saying goes; you can’t pour from an empty cup. No matter how much you want to be there for your ageing parents, you have to take time for yourself along the way. If not, you could risk burning out and damaging your own mental and physical well-being. Some of the signs of caregiver burnout include:

Feelings of sadness
Mood swings
Irritability
Fatigue
Headaches
High blood pressure

Know your limits when it comes to how much you can provide to your parents. Lean on other family members or reach out for support from different resources. Set realistic goals and realistic boundaries to keep yourself healthy and happy. You don’t have to take on this responsibility by yourself, so don’t let yourself become irritable or even resentful because you’re tired and frustrated.

Keep in mind that emotional burnout can also be a problem when caring for an elderly parent. It’s not always easy to see your parent struggling with their physical or cognitive health. By prioritising your mental well-being, you can maintain a positive attitude and be grateful for each day you have with them.

Being a professional caregiver, especially for an ageing parent, is a large task to take on. But, it’s also largely rewarding. Keep these tips in mind to keep yourself happy and healthy while making sure your parents receive the love, care and support they deserve in their golden years.