Many people become grumpy as they get older. As their ailments and lack of energy start to get ahold of them, they stop socializing with their friends and lose interest in activities they previously loved. In these situations, it is the children’s task to get them back on track and reignite their passion for life.
“Data teaches us that optimistic people are more likely to live past 85 years of age,” according to Always Best Care, a home care in Thousand Oaks, CA. These individuals are less likely to suffer from stroke, heart attack, and other conditions. Not only that, but their quality of living is usually much higher compared to pessimists.
In this article, we’ll share a few tricks that will help you improve your parent’s quality of life. We’ll talk about different methods to keep them active and social.
Story Stages
1. Keep the Home Safe
If a person is too afraid to walk around their own home, you can be certain they’ll also be scared to go outside. Regardless of fear, you should improve your home’s features and furniture arrangement so your ailing parents can move around.
Start by adding rails and other safety measures. Get a reclining chair, remove the bathtub, and raise your parent’s bed. We also recommend adding alarms and another safety system so in the kitchen that will warn you of fire. Spread several phones around the house so that the parents can call for help if they fall down while you’re not at home.
2. Stay in Touch
The reason why the elderly lose the will to live is because they feel disconnected from the world. As their friends start dying one by one, they have no one to turn to for basic socialization. This is why you need to stay in touch to help them deal with their loneliness.
Phone calls are great, but it would be even better if you Facetimed your parents. Consider programs such as Loom, Zoom, and WhatsApp for daily communication. Furthermore, when you engage with your parents, show genuine interest in how their day went. You can also share interesting stories from your life so they stay engaged.
3. Urge Them to Move
The older your parents get, the more important it becomes to go out. Moving around is crucial for mobility, but it also keeps people in touch with the real world. Instead of staying at home and watching TV, your parents are able to enjoy parks and have daily interactions.
Ideally, your parents should explore various physical activities for seniors. Yoga, tai chi, and Zumba are just a few things to consider. Check the local websites to learn more about available classes in the neighborhood, and suggest them to your parents.
4. Recommend Hobbies
The issue with old age is that people have too much time but too little energy. As such, you should recommend some activities that your parents can enjoy at home without having to move around too much (they still need daily exercise, though).
For example, you can point them to local book clubs. You can also get them various hobby kits, for example, for assembling airplanes or cars. Board games are also fantastic as they allow your parents to have fun and socialize with you at the same time.
You shouldn’t neglect crossword puzzles and similar hobbies that would keep their brains sharp; this is the best way to counter dementia. If nothing else, you can get a few streaming packages and teach your parents how to watch the latest movies and series.
5. Introduce Healthy Food
As we get older, we become more inclined to eat healthy food. While your parents might push back, it’s vital that you switch them to a better diet. Recommend more green veggies and fruits and force them to cut down on carbs and sugars. Among others, smarter food choices will increase their energy levels and will make them less sleepy.
If you have enough time, you might even consider cooking for them. Buy them various groceries from exotic shops and persuade them to try them out. Although they might not like many of these foods, the new experience might be exhilarating by itself.
6. Suggest a Retirement Home
Retirement homes are the last thing you should consider. Alas, some elderly people will find solace in being among their peers.
A great thing about retirement homes is that they provide adequate care for people with chronic conditions, movement impairment, and other medical issues. In that regard, by putting your parents into one of these facilities, you’ll ensure a dignified existence.
Conclusion
As your parents get older, their needs change. It is your duty to adapt to these needs while ensuring the highest possible quality of life. By suggesting hobbies, pointing out quality food options, and helping them become more social, you can be certain they’ll live a longer, better life.
