When we were young, we rely on our parents or guardians to guide and care for us as we grow. The roles are reversed now that our initial caregivers are older by the day and require some form of assistance to live comfortably. Changes don’t really sit very well among older folks since they’ve been so used to their lifestyle routines for decades. In this article, we will share with you some aging fears and ways on how to help our loved ones cope. Keep reading!
Coping with Loneliness and Isolation
There are 101 things that our parents may worry about and one prominent fear is that of coping with loneliness and isolation. The death of a spouse at some point is inevitable and one has to learn to live alone following a loss of a loved one. But if not properly managed, this could lead to social isolation as a means to cope with grief.
To tackle the issue of detachment, it would be good to research some social events your parents can participate in. Most senior living communities also offer a calendar of activities for their residents to gather together for. If they aren’t that sociable, then maybe planning a roster for friends and families to visit them at home is a good way to fend off feelings of emptiness.
Worrying About Retirement and Financials
Our parents will have to stop working one day and prepare for retirement. For some folks, they may have already retired long ago and have no incoming salaries. Having worked for decades and being financially independent can give your parents a feeling of achievement. But if this privilege is suddenly taken away from them, you can imagine the effects it can have on their sense of security.
An intelligent way to help your parents gain back that sense of surety would be to reassure them that they are financially secure. You can draw up an excel document stating the basic, additional, and emergency expenses so your parents can see for themselves the actual monthly flow of money.
Losing independence and Unable to Deal with Daily Tasks
Last but not least, losing independence is unavoidable. As people age, mental and physical abilities deteriorate as well. For the more prideful, losing this freedom can be overwhelming because they have been able to provide for themselves throughout their adult years.
To deal with this situation, loved ones must learn how to be sensitive when offering aid to cope with daily tasks. For example, rather than telling your parents straight-up not to change a light bulb because they might trip and fall, take the initiative to do checks when you visit their homes and do the necessary repairs.
Everyone will grow old one day and leave footsteps behind. Aging fears are real and can be scary for our parents if we do not show them enough consideration. Apart from showing them affection via concrete actions, it’s also good to schedule heart-to-heart conversations and support them accordingly.
