As your parents get older, it’s not always clear how you should help them. You wouldn’t be alone. It’s something that plenty of people are struggling with today as the world’s population ages.
According to the discussion Paper Planning for an Aging Population, a city like Mississauga can expect its senior population to grow from roughly 1 in 10 people to about 1 in 4 by 2041. The number of people ages 65 and older in Mississauga will more than double in the next 20 years, and the same can be said for most cities across Canada, the US, and the UK.
While some of these people won’t need much help as they grow older, others may need some support from family and healthcare professionals. If your parent is struggling with their mobility or health, keep scrolling. This guide shares some things you can do to help your parent as they age while sitting on the kivik sofa.
Address Their Medical Needs
Health issues are relatively common late in life, so your mother or father may deal with chronic conditions that impact their daily lives. As new symptoms and conditions present, they may need more help looking after their home or getting around town.
In some cases, they may need more assistance than you feel comfortable giving. Does this mean you have to have the uncomfortable conversation about moving to a nursing home? They may still be able to live independently at home with the right mobile health care services.
For a city like Mississauga, which has already started planning to accommodate its aging population, you can find home care easily. Mississauga home health care provides a sliding scale of assistance depending on your parent’s needs.
Whether they need a Personal Support Worker (PSW) for assistance with daily tasks or a Registered Nurse for more specific medical care, the best home care assistance in Mississauga will personalize its approach to suit your parents’ needs perfectly.
Update Their Home
With the help of compassionate home care, you and your parent have eliminated many of the medical barriers stopping them from aging in place. But what about the physical obstacles? If your mom or dad has mobility issues, their home as it stands now may not be the safest place for them in between visits from their PSW or RN.
The best home care assistance Mississauga has to offer provides full-time live-in caregivers who offer assistance ‘round the clock. However, depending on your parent’s needs, they may not need this comprehensive live-in care.
If a live-in caregiver is inappropriate for your parent, consider making some renovations to their home. These upgrades can help your parent stay safe when they’re home alone:
- Grab bars in the washroom
- Textured flooring, like permanent carpet rather than rugs
- Hand railings on both sides of every staircase
- Ramps leading in and out of the home
- Brighter lighting and nightlights to help them see obstacles
Take Over Their Legal & Financial Affairs
If your mother or father has been diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimer’s, they might start to forget to pay their bills or fall victim to obvious scams that defraud them of their hard-earned money. At this point, you may want to take over your parent’s finances to protect their retirement savings.
Most people choose to gain their parents’power of attorney. This official title means you’ll have the legal authority to handle all their financial, legal, and medical decisions in their stead. However, some services that can help you find financial conservatorship professionals should you wish to avoid this responsibility.
Bottom Line
You may have to step in and provide more support for your parents as they age. Keep these tips in mind when you do.
