Having responsible parents who cared for all your childhood needs and nurtured you to become a better person is a blessing. So, as they also grow old and become less capable, it behooves you to give them the best healthcare and improve their living standard.
Old age comes with several health conditions. As the body grows weaker, the organs and immune system follow suit, giving room for all kinds of diseases. As a result, our old folks battle diseases like dementia, hypertension, loss of sight, mobility challenges, etc. At that crucial stage in life, children need to step in to provide/sponsor all the medical needs of their parents.
With the significant improvement in healthcare delivery over the years, it is very easy to provide such assistants. From hiring a caregiver to booking medical appointments, here are ways to ensure your old pals get quality healthcare.
Regular medical checkups
According to health experts, persons over 50 years should go for a medical checkup at least once a year. This is even critical if the person has known medical conditions. Such patients must seek regular checkups as recommended by their doctor. If your parent falls into that category, ensure they always attend their scheduled medical appointments.
This helps in the continuous treatment of whatever health challenges they face. That aside, it also helps in the early detection of other conditions that can worsen their already frail health.
With technological advancement, your parent can have such medical appointments at home. With highly efficient telehealth solutions that empower healthcare providers to improve access to quality healthcare, your old folk can have pre-arranged Telemedicine Video Conferencing with their doctor. This service helps those living in rural areas and patients with mobility challenges to access quality healthcare.
Homecare service
Due to your busy work schedules, you cannot be with your sick parent 24/7. Even if you are available throughout, you may not have the needed skills to cater to all their needs. Hiring a home health care provider becomes the most convenient way out. Such providers attend to your senior’s needs, including helping them with their medications, and therapy. If you have a bedridden parent, the care provider will provide all the basic needs including changing diapers, clothing, bathing, and feeding.
Provide them with healthcare tech devices
From tracking heartbeats to checking cholesterol and blood sugar levels, several wearables are available help us to monitor our health vitals. These smart devices come with sensors, actuators, and software that collect and analyze personal health data in real-time. Provide your parent with such smart devices according to their health needs to help them or homecare providers monitor their condition. This help to avoid emergencies, as they are always in the know of their situation.
Always be in touch
Sometimes, it’s the little things that count most. Showing care is not all about the amount you spend or the gifts you buy. Being in touch and spending special moments with your parent can help their recovery process. The more they feel loved; they become very positive and motivated to overcome their health conditions. Even if you live far from them, you can have scheduled video calls and send text messages to check on them. If you have other siblings, schedule these activities with them, so you do it in turns.
Keep them engaged
Loneliness is a slow killer and makes people do the unimaginable. At their age, seniors, when isolated fall into thinking unnecessarily about dark events. As they hear the news of some friends, classmates, and former work colleagues passing away, they also begin to think about their death. Getting them engaged can put away all such thoughts. So, if possible, let your parent join social clubs, and engage in activities that make them happy. Through that, they can build new relationships and meet new people with the same interest as theirs.
Make them feel comfortable
Serenity brings comfort and relaxation and enhances our well-being. The home environment of your parent must be comfortable enough devoid of stressors. Their bedroom setting should be free from distractors and must afford them better sleep patterns. If their current home doesn’t provide them with the best environment for healing, relocate them to a peaceful environment, nursing home, or hospice. This can help them concentrate on their healing process to get well soon. That aside, they will have professionals to attend to their needs.
Check their diet
Some foods are not healthy for the aged. The more they eat such foods, the more their health conditions compound. Therefore, check what they eat. Reduce their salt and meat intake. They should consume more fruits and vegetables and eat at the right time. Also, they should drink enough water to replenish what they’ve lost.
Conclusion
Taking care of your parent’s health needs is more of a responsibility than a choice. If you are financially sound, provide them with the best healthcare that would make them feel loved and comfortable in their old age.
