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Parenting is tough enough some days, with just the kids to take care of. But when you add an ageing or ailing parent to the mix, things can feel overwhelming very fast. The good news is that I have some great tips on how to care for an ageing parent, even when you are a busy parent yourself. Just keep reading to find out more. 

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Invite them to family dinners

Instead of spending a lot of time visiting your elderly parents, how about regularly inviting them to family dinners throughout the week?  There are a number of benefits to this, including lessening your workload as you will already be making those dinners for the rest of the family. 

For your parents, it provides additional company,  community,  something to look forward to throughout the week,  and delicious, healthy, well-balanced food.  Indeed, it is often the case that older people whose appetite is not the strongest will still eat heartily when surrounded by company.

Help them gain access to medical assistance.

Medical issues and conditions often go hand in hand with getting older, so you can care for ageing parents by helping them access the medical assistance they need.  This could be something as simple as setting up a postal delivery of their prescription,  so they don't have to wait in a long chemist line to get it.  Alternatively, it could be arranging transportation to the pharmacy, doctor's office or Hospital,  and even attending appointments with them if they ask for added support.

Consider their accommodation

One of the things that can be most problematic in terms of having an ageing parent is providing accommodation for them that suits their unique needs.  Some families can support ageing parents in their own homes,  or provide the space to welcome them into the family property.  However, this is not always the case, and often when an individual's needs are complicated, including those that require specialist memory care, residential support can be a better option. The reason is that residents will not only be placed in a safe environment but will also gain greater supervision from the dedicated and highly trained staff. 

Take care of yourself

You cannot give from an empty cup,  and as a parent, our cups are so often emptied by taking the best care of our little ones.  Add on the responsibility of worrying about,  planning for and caring for an ageing and ailing parent of your own, and it can be a huge burden.  That is why it's so important to have clear boundaries, not only for your parents but yourself,  to ensure you get enough time to physically and emotionally rest. 

To do this, you may wish to take up a hobby that is solely for your own pleasure, and take some time away from situations in which you are the primary carer.  Respite care can be very helpful here as it provides you with enough time to recharge your batteries before taking on the responsibility for your parent again.