Credit Is your mom or dad your hero? Not to be corny, but most children look at your parents as role models and mentors. After all, they raised and fed you, kept you safe, and you showered you with love. So, when they start to age and everything changes, it can be hard to deal with. It is especially difficult because the process is incredibly frustrating. They can’t do what they once did in the past, yet you still look at them as if they are ten years younger. For lots of children, the experience can chip away at their sanity. If you feel as if the frustration is getting too much, here’s what you need to do to gain perspective.
Accept The Shift
Kids have such a hard time looking after their parents because they don’t accept the change. You will still think of them as the hero that gave you so much when you were a child. Although it’s nice to be nostalgic, it doesn’t help you deal with the paradigm shift. Whether you like it or not, they depend on you now, so the old rules don’t apply anymore. Think of it as a chance to rewrite the rule book and create new roles. The sooner you build them and it becomes routine, the easier it will become.
Credit Expect A Lot
You shouldn’t expect them to function in the way you want or need them to because that is idealistic. However, there are expectations that every child needs to prepare for before it’s too late. Expect to be angry; expect them to get mad; expect them to shut down their emotions; expect their condition to deteriorate; expect to laugh and cry. Basically, expect anything and everything because it can all happen at once. People that are ready for all of the above are the ones that make the most of the transition. If you’re unprepared, it could be a long couple of years.
Look For Financial Help
Taking care of your parents is like having a child. They rely on your for almost everything, and you have to provide. Of course, it does mean that you have to come up with the money. Unfortunately, care for the elderly isn’t cheap, and financial problems can occur. The good news is that alternative revenue streams do exist, and they could relieve a lot of the strain. Medicare is the best example as it provides coverage for people over the age of 65., which means you don’t have to fork out for your parents’ care plan. A list of Medicare advantage plans is widely available if you want to find out more about the program. Don’t forget about their pension, either. By pooling your resources, the cost of care falls dramatically.
Ask Their Advice
They are old, but they aren’t obsolete. Like you, they have feelings and opinions that you should take into account. After all, it is their life and they understand it better than anyone else. Plus, this tactic shows that you still have respect. Every parent knows that their child loves them, but respect isn’t a mandatory.
When everyone is on the same page, the experience will be far smoother.
