*Please note this post was created in collaboration with Age UK Mobility*

If you’re a similar age to me and in your early forties (or older) chances are your parents will now be elderly or certainly of advancing years.

Hopefully they’ll be independent and physically well, but even if that is the case, there’s no doubt that at some point in our lives – and more importantly theirs – they’re going to need some help.

So with that in mind, here’s a few ways you can help your parents when that time comes.

KEEP IN TOUCH

At our age, our lives are full of responsibilities and work commitments. We may have kids to look after, houses to pay for and keep clean as well as jobs to hold down. So it’s perhaps no surprise that when it comes to keeping in touch with our parents, we can let things slip a little. Not by choice but because we’re so busy juggling everything and anything that we may need to.

But yet keeping in touch with them, particularly if they’re living on their own, is so important. It enables you to make sure they feel loved and supported, helps to prevent loneliness and reminds them how special they are to us.

It doesn’t have to be daily or even weekly contact (seriously, whatever works for you) but regular contact with our elderly loved ones is essential for them and us too.

ENCOURAGE THEM TO KEEP ACTIVE & MOBILE

Whether it’s encouraging them to take up some form of exercise or helping them to stay mobile when they’re struggling to get around, keeping your elderly parents active and moving is critical to their health and wellbeing.

If your loved one finds walking or climbing stairs difficult, then get them some expert help. At Age UK Mobility, there all kinds of tools available to help aid your loved one’s independence, in their own homes and out and about, so this is a great first port of call.

And if they’re more physically able, then finding them a local walking group, an online yoga class or a fitness instructor who specialises in exercise for older people, are also really good ideas.

BE THEIR VOICE

Don’t be afraid to be an advocate for your parents. To ask questions that they perhaps might forget or to speak up for them in situations when you feel that they require extra support.

As our parents become older and find life more challenging, it is our duty as their children, to help and assist them as much we can. This may admittedly feel rather strange, but if you feel your parent or parents need a little back up, then please offer it and speak for them whenever they may need you to.

Whether it’s finding them a decent care home as they advance further down the path of life or asking important financial questions on their behalf, don’t be afraid to use your voice.

HELP THEM WITH ERRANDS & JOBS 

It may be as your parent gets older, that simple previously normal day to day tasks like food shopping or ironing, become a problem. They may physically struggle to carry out simple errands or become more forgetful.

So wherever possible try to find a way to help them. When it comes to food shopping, could you order food for them online and have it delivered? Or could you pay someone weekly to do their ironing or cleaning for them perhaps?

Please note that helping doesn’t necessarily mean doing it yourself and I’m certainly not advocating that you add more responsibilities to your already huge list! Simple solutions and a little thought and reasonable expense are often all that is required to sort out most day to day tasks.

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF

This may seem like a strange thing to say when I talk about looking after your elderly parents, but it’s so important. Because let’s face it, if you burn out and become exhausted and depressed, you won’t be able to look after them. Nor anyone else you may be responsible for.

Caring for a loved one in old age can be fraught with difficulties and cause immense worry, so please make sure you look after yourself wherever possible. Eat well, make time for relaxation, have boundaries and when it all gets too much, remember that your parent or parents would never want to make you unhappy or stressed.

So just do what you can, as best as you can and remember you’re only human too.