How to Look After Your Parents (Even When You're Not With Them)
As you watch your parents grow older, you may not be able to be with them at all times. Between work and your own family, you can't see them as regularly as you once did. For many, this can raise some concerns. You wonder what will happen if they fall and can’t get to the phone. What about getting sick without a friendly face by their side? Thankfully, you can still look after your parents, even if you’re not there.
Check-In On Them Regularly
Everyone needs interaction to keep their brain active and banish brain fog while also reducing the chance of loneliness and isolation. Even if you can’t be with your parents in person, you can still check up on them regularly to make sure they are okay.
This can be as simple as a quick phone call every night, or you might prefer to schedule a video call. You can even buy them a tablet or laptop and teach them how to use it so they can connect without any issue at all. With this, you can check in at any time and make sure everything’s okay on their end.
Make Sure They Get Their Meds
Your parents may need to take some mediations as they get older, but if their memory isn’t what it used to be, there’s the chance they could forget to take them or even order them at all.
You can do the hard work for them by looking at services that provide free delivery and refills for everyday medication to ensure your parents are never behind on their essentials. Lettered pillboxes can also help them remember how many they have taken each day, making it easier to keep it organized, while a simple phone reminder (that you set up) will give them a backup in case they forget.
Recommend a Better Diet
It’s well understood that seniors can be stubborn. They’ve lived this long, so why would they need to adjust their diet or change other habits? Despite this attitude they often adopt, it’s never too late for them to improve their health and start watching what they eat.
Although it may not go down too well at first, you can look at Canada’s Food Guide for seniors to give them alternatives to their current diet. They don’t need to abandon everything they love, but a few changes here and there can give them more energy and reduce the risk of heart disease and other issues.
Alternatively, consulting a nutrition coach to provide individualized support and guidance based on their needs and any health conditions they may have can be another great option.
Your parents spent their prime years looking after you, so it’s only fair that you repay the favour now.
Watching your parents age can be stressful, especially if you cannot always be there to help out. Even still, there are many rewarding ways you can support your aging parents, even if you are not physically present.
You may also like
My sessions with Kelly blew my mind. As someone who has been studying nutrition for a long time, I couldn’t believe how much information I took away. After years of struggling with my mental health, Kelly detected cerebral inflammation and has given me some really helpful suggestions to reduce this. I truly believe this was life-changing and actually worry about what might have happened if we never had this call. Kelly is friendly, passionate, super knowledgeable and very trustworthy. I 100% recommend her!
—rose b. (united kingdom)
Consider House Adjustments
Trips and falls around the house are responsible for 85% of annual hospitalization for seniors, and if you aren’t able to be there, your parent(s) could be in pain and alone for longer than you’d like to imagine.
If this is the case, think about how you can make some simple house adjustments, such as putting railings at the front door or stairlifts to help them get to bed easier. Remote lights with motion sensors can also help, as can an adjusted floor plan that reduces obstacles.
Taking Care
Your parents spent their prime years looking after you, so it’s only fair that you repay the favour now. There are many ways you and your family can look after your parents, even when you can’t be there in person. So think about how you can still be a reliable part of their lives even if you are physically hundreds of miles away.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and value your feedback. Let me know what you think or how you support your parents from a distance by dropping me a line or commenting below.
If you haven’t already done so, please sign up to receive my newsletters for more information about brain health, neuronutrition, lifestyle tips, and nutritional advice. Of course, if I can help you or a loved one with your nutritional needs, make an appointment to see me today!
[Medical Disclaimer]
Please consult with your doctor(s) before starting any new mental or physical health improvement program. The advice I offer is not intended to replace that of your medical practitioner. I am not a medical professional, nor am I qualified to diagnose, cure treat, or prevent disease. The advice I provide on this website is intended for a broad and diverse audience, and as such, deals with general lifestyle concepts, not specific healthcare advice. This material disclaims any liability or loss in connection with the advice expressed herein.