How to Take Care of Your Aging Parents

When ever I look at my parents and see them happy, I feel proud and satisfied. I had decided long back that I would not let my parents live in any nursing home or in the home for senior citizens. After all, they were the one who took my care when I was young. They did every thing for me they could. They were there in my every stage of life to support me emotionally. I owe my life to them because what I am today, because of them. This is not necessarily my story, It's known fact and universal.

When you see a aged person sitting alone in a deserted garden, hardly we know or try to understand as why he is there and what is he doing there. He is just killing his time. Why he has to be there ? Where are his children ? Why they have left him there alone ? Why no one is with him ? What if the same thing happens to us when we get old.

Some years before they were happily married couple. They were in love with each other. Then they brought you in this world. They had a biggest happiness of their life. They celebrated your first birthday. They had your snaps in various moods. You started growing in the careful hands. They looked after you day and night. They gave you every possible thing that could make you happy. They took you to nursery school. They taught you every word. They took your home work. They encouraged you in every path of life. You finished your school and joined college for higher studies. You became a graduate. They were proud parents. With your every success in life, they played an important role being parents. They never left you alone. They took you to movies, restaurants and various places which you enjoyed most. Just look at your old photo album and you would realize what I mean. They were there with you for every thing and every where. Today they are still there for you but, they are aged now. They have lot many problems now. They are weak now. They need some one who can look after them. It's your turn now. You are the one who can make their life easy and respectable.

If you have a good house with enough space, set a special room for them at the ground floor. Decorate their room keeping their choice in your mind. Do not cramp the room with unwanted things. Let them have an ample space to move in the room. Let their be a television set so that they can watch it when they feel like. Keep a sofa or chairs as per their comfort and requirement. Keep enough books of their choice for them. Keep extra pair of reading glasses with them. Let there be enough light in the room all the time. What ever you do, they must feel comfortable in their room. Keeping fresh flowers in vase is a good idea.

Once you are prepared and have accepted to look after them, talk to them. This is must. There should be enough communication between you and them. Talk to them the way they understand. If they can't follow your speed talk, lower your speed and make sure they understand what you talk. Listen what they say. They still have so many things to tell you. Do not ignore the fact that they have the experience behind them and know what's good or bad. Sit near to them so that they can hear you clearly. Touch them gently when you talk to them. Give them privacy which is equally important.

Their health is a major issue which you need to take care of. Regular health check ups and ensuring that they take their medicines regularly must be your prime concern. They must have a proper breakfast and see that they take it regularly. Try to feed them with the type of food they can easily digest. Take a help of dietitian and make a note of the same as what kind of food to be served to them. Serve the food in right required quantity. Help them if they can't eat properly by their own hands. Ensure they drink required quantity of water each day.

If you need to go out for shopping or to see any movie, ask them if they wish to accompany you. If that is not possible, tell them what did you purchase, how good the movie was and narrate them the brief story. This way, they will feel involved in your day to day life. Tell them all the things happening around. Keep them informed about all the things. Take their suggestion in major decisions and involve them in the process. Let them feel they are needed.

Respect them in every manner. The respect has to come from every member of the family. Try your level best to keep your parents with you unless, you have some major problem and can not accommodate in the house, only then shift them to old people homes. If they are staying there, see to it that you meet them very often. Don't just send them greetings, instead meet them and talk to them. Take your children with you. Let your children also meet them and talk to them.

At the end, It's you to decide how your parents should be at their old age. It's only in your hands. To give them a graceful and respectable life is your duty. They deserve the best from you at their age as they offered the same to you when you were a kid. Let us not forget that.