If you have a family member who is advancing in age, it can give you pause and cause you to worry. A lot of this agonizing is unnecessary. With a little bit of planning and care, you can help your loved one age with grace and alleviate some stressors of your own.
Monitor Hearing
A major contributor to the aging process is being unable to hear. When you cannot hear, you miss out on life in general. If you notice that your family member asks for things to be repeated or does not notice when people are talking with them, it is time to see an audiologist for a hearing test. Once their level of hearing loss is determined, the next step is to be custom fitted for hearing aids. Everyone’s ear shape and hearing needs are different. Your hearing professional will help them find the best fit for their unique needs.
Maintaining hearing as people age helps them keep their independence. Being able to hear helps with general communications via the phone or in places of business. Hearing is paramount to safety, as well, since hearing fire sirens or alarms is vital.
When people experience hearing loss, they may become embarrassed or uncomfortable in social settings. These feelings can cause them to opt-out of invitations and activities, thus furthering isolation and loneliness. When elderly people remove themselves from routine interests, brain health can deteriorate and hasten the aging process and a deterioration in cognitive health.
Apart from ear health, dental health is also important for old people. You should have your aging family member visit a dentist regularly to keep their teeth’s health in check. And if they would like to replace their missing teeth, dental implants in Lancaster provide a permanent solution for missing teeth
Be Present
One impactful act you can make for your aging family member is to simply be there for them. Make time to be together without distractions. Ask questions about their life. They have experienced far more history than you have. Their experiences and perspectives may surprise you.
Have a Financial Plan
It’s important that you establish a financial plan for you and your family. It can be difficult to navigate the nuances of establishing health insurance for each member of the household. Many families with elderly adults living in the home may qualify for government assistance. If you have questions if Medicare and Medicaid are the same things, or whether you and other family members in the home will qualify for government assistance, you’ll want to contact your local state’s health resource center to find out how to get in touch with a representative who can help guide you through the process of protecting your family with health benefits.
It should not take signs of aging to inspire financial planning. There is no perfect time to put pen to paper and make financial decisions. That being said, there is a bad time – when it is too late to do so. To that end, now is the best time to make it happen. You can engage the services of a professional to have their will, Powers of Attorney, and healthcare directives drawn up. While you are doing that, make an appointment for yourself if you have not already done so.
As these important documents are being drawn up, be sure to include a document outlining your loved one’s last wishes. This should include how they wish their body to be handled, and where they wish to be buried or if cremation is desired. If they have material items of monetary or sentimental value, they should itemize them and note who they wish to leave these things to after they pass.
Here is a video offering helpful tips on how to choose an executor for your will.
Getting older does not have to mean your loved ones are no longer relevant. Encourage them to take care of themselves to continue living happy and productive lives. This will go a long way towards helping you, as well.
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