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Tips for Helping Your Aging Parents without Taking Over Everything

September 6, 2019
Lenora Alabi
When your parents start getting older and need extra help, it can be tough to know what to take control of for them and what to let them keep doing. They may have forgotten to balance their checkbook and overdraft their bank account. This may be something you want to take over, but then you may consider taking over everything that includes money, which may not be necessary. How do you determine how to help your aging parents without taking over everything? 

Leading the Way

When it comes to caregivers, you must find a way to help your aging parents without taking everything over for them. One of the ways you can do this is by letting your parents lead the way while you supervise. You can do some tasks, such as grocery shopping or balancing their checkbook, with them. This allows your parents to still think they have control. They are more likely to accept your help this way, as well. 

Asking What Type of Help You Can Give

There may be many tasks that your parents need help with that you aren’t even aware of. It might be helpful to just ask your parents what they need extra help with. They may need more help than you realize and they may tell you this. It could go the other way, as well, and they may not need as much help as it seems. Talk to them about the help they need and see what comes from that conversation. 

Being Respectful

For caregivers, it can be tough to figure out how much to help your aging parents. You may want to jump right in and take over everything. However, that isn’t showing your parents the respect they deserve. There are many ways you can show them respect. For one thing, you can ask them if it is alright that you help. Before you hire a home care provider, ask your parents if it is alright. These are some of the many ways you can respect your parents when being their caregiver. 

Keeping Them Safe

As a caregiver for your parents, it is also important to keep them safe. Even when they won’t let you take over something, you can still take steps to keep your parents safe. You can tape down rugs, cover sharp corners on the coffee table or kitchen table, and do other things to help them stay safe, too.

If you want to help your aging parents without taking over everything, these tips are some of the ways you can do that. It takes time to learn to be a caregiver for your parents. However, with some time, practice, and patience, you can do the best for your parents. You can help them while still allowing them to help themselves, too. 

Sources 
https://khn.org/news/a-late-life-surprise-taking-care-of-frail-aging-parents/

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING CAREGIVERS IN HYDE PARK, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE CHICAGO. CALL TODAY: 312.382.8888.