It’s common for the children of aging parents to want to live close by, but this isn’t always possible. However, if you can visit your elderly parents at least once a week or more often, it may be good for their health! Read on to find out how visiting an elderly parent regularly is beneficial.
1) Regular Visits Provide Mental Stimulation
They say that old people who are lonely and isolated become depressed, but this is because they often lack social engagement. A visit from you can be just what your elderly parents need to feel happy again! Even if all you do is take them out for lunch or coffee, it will help provide some much-needed mental stimulation to avoid getting bored.
It’s also common for the elderly to feel lonely because their children are too busy with work or other commitments, so it helps if you can make time to visit them at least once a week, even if it is only around lunchtime. Sometimes just having someone there who will listen to them and give them hugs when they need it is all they need to feel good again.
2) Regular Visits Can Help Prevent Falls
If you visit your elderly parents regularly, you’ll be able to keep an eye on them and see if they’re starting to have trouble with balance or walking. This is important because falls are one of the leading causes of death in seniors. If you can catch a problem early on, then it’s much easier to prevent your elderly parent from falling down the stairs or tripping on uneven floors.
You can also help them make their home safer by removing any rugs or wires which are likely to cause falls and injuries if someone trips over them. You could even install handrails in bathrooms and staircases so that they feel safe when using these areas.
If you’re uneasy about them living alone, reach out to an assisted living agency to see if they have any openings available.
3) Regular Visits Can Ensure That They’re Eating Healthy
If you visit your elderly parents regularly, it will be easier to see if they’re eating healthy or not. It’s common for the elderly to have problems with their memory that cause them to forget whether or not they’ve already eaten lunch and dinner.
Therefore, by visiting regularly, you can cook food ahead of time so that they can reheat it later on, or you could take them out to eat at a restaurant that they’re familiar with. This will help ensure that they get the nutrition they need to stay healthy and active.
4) Regular Visits Allow You To Motivate Them
If your elderly parent has become frail or immobile but still wants to be independent, regular visits are essential. By visiting every week, you can help motivate them and encourage their independence by doing activities together like playing board games or taking walks outside.
You could even get out some of the old photo albums so that they can look back on happy memories and reminisce. This will help keep their spirits high and make them feel loved and appreciated.
In conclusion, regular visits are beneficial for your elderly parents because they provide mental stimulation, prevent falls, ensure that they’re eating healthy meals, and allow you to motivate them. In addition, an assisted living agency in your area can help if you need any extra assistance taking care of an aging parent.
