Spending time with your senior parents is beneficial for both you and them, mainly because of the emotional boost everyone gets from knowing they’re loved. According to the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, an inadequate social life can lead to cognitive decline, depression, and other health problems. Seniors who tend to be isolated can become more susceptible to infections and put their health and longevity at risk. If you’re the adult child of seniors, here are some reasons you should get to know your parents better.
Helps You Evaluate Their Health & Happiness
An important reason to visit your parents is to check on their overall health and happiness. If they have medical conditions, you would want to know whether those conditions are under control or need further assessment by a doctor. You might also want to encourage your loved ones to adopt healthy habits, such as eating properly and staying active.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care service. You can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
Prevents Abuse or Neglect
If your parents live independently, visiting them can help you see whether they’re caring for themselves and each other adequately. If they receive in-home assistance, you’ll be able to evaluate the situation and ensure they get appropriate help.
Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Tucson, AZ, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver.
Provides the Opportunity to Reminisce
Valuable family time often leads to trips down memory lane. Looking at photo albums together, watching home videos, or listening to familiar music can spark memories of fun and happy times. If either of your parents has dementia, reminiscing can stimulate brain function.
Boosts Emotional Health
If your parents experience loss, reconnecting with loved ones can boost their spirits and lift them out of a depressed mood. Having someone to share thoughts and feelings with can also lessen the feeling of isolation.
Reinforces Love
Making the effort to visit your parents is often more comforting and reassuring than simply staying in touch by phone or email. Taking the time to visit your parents reminds them someone cares enough to visit.
If you’re visiting for a special occasion or for no apparent reason, the time spent with your parents creates new experiences and memories. Whether you prepare a meal together or take your parents shopping or out to eat, you and your loved ones will treasure the memory for years to come. Many seniors enjoy visits from younger family members. The innocence of children lifts seniors’ spirits and brings joy and laughter. Older adults often also demonstrate patience and understanding, which benefits younger people.
Gives You Wisdom
Elderly parents have a wealth of experience and knowledge in many areas. You can learn new ways to accomplish tasks, develop enhanced decision-making skills, and gain a better understanding of historic events from your parents.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care. Tucson families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. Trust your loved ones’ care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (520) 276-6555.