Dealing with an aging, elderly parent or loved one is not easy, but because you love them and respect them, you have to hang in there and pray for wisdom.
Listening to their endless stories and their nonsensical or repetitive questions can truly drive you up a wall.
As people age, they start to feel left out of the normal activities that their friends and family enjoy.
They feel alienated, abandoned and alone, sometimes prisoners in their own bodies.
Life then becomes much harder for the elderly.
As the older population continues to age, many become frail and begin to suffer from serious physical and mental health issues.
It's not only the physical law of the aging process, but the harsh reality of the circle of life.
Vision and hearing become impaired, osteoporosis sets in, a once vigorous walking pace slows to a shuffle, aided with the help of a cane or walker.
Many are even confined to a wheelchair.
Memory loss becomes the norm, a shadow that can follow you to the grave after a certain age.
This is why the children of aging parents need to take all precautions to keep them safe.
Caring for the elderly is not an easy task, especially when it is one of your parents.
It saps your energy and robs you of your peace of mind.
Very few people are emotionally ready to take on this responsibility.
The comfort zone which you have created for yourself, including the freedom to come and go as you please, to pursue career fulfillment, and to enjoy an active social life with your friends is put on hold.
With care-giving, you feel captive to the needs of whoever you are caring for.
Also, when care-giving for your parents, it puts you in the awkward position of parenting your own parents.
In my three-part series, which is already published: "Why Me? I Didn't Ask For This: The Sandwich Generation," you get a glimpse into the stress involved with being a caregiver.
"Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone mass and strength causing increased susceptibility to fractures.
It is the major cause of bone fractures in older people, especially post-menopausal women.
" Statistics like these explain why more than 11 million people over the age of 65 fall every year.
Falls can cause wide-ranging consequences, including decreased activity and mobility, horrendous pain, loss of independence and mental depression.
Many dangerous accidents happen within the home, that is why it is important to look around your home to identify hazards that could lead to a fall, and to correct them.
Preventing falls is important at any age, but it is especially important for those who have osteoporosis, because their bones are more fragile and easily broken.
Here are a few suggestions to prevent falls.
1.
For the shower it's best to use a bath chair or stool, also, install grab bars to get into and out of the tub.
2.
Avoid slippery socks or slippers, especially on bare floors.
3.
Never walk in the dark, its much safer to turn on the light, or, remember to leave a bright night-light on at night.
4.
Make sure that all scatter rugs have skid-proof backing on them, if not, tack them to the floor.
5.
Add strips of color to the edge of wooden or concrete steps to enhance the visibility of each step.
6.
Take your time when going up or down the stairs, and most of all, get a good grip on the handrail.
Also wear appropriate glasses.
7.
A bar of soap can be the culprit for many falls in the shower stall or tub.
The best thing to do to avoid a fall is to buy soap on a rope, or put a bar of soap in a nylon stocking with one end tied to a towel bar.
Also, put non-slip treads or strips in the bottom of the tub and shower.
8.
Make sure all extension chords are cleared away from any walk area.
9.
Keep everything within reach, to avoid falls.
10.
If you are unsteady outdoors, use a cane to walk, especially when you approach sidewalk cracks and curbs.
11.
Make sure all spills are cleaned up immediately.
12.
Wear clothing with proper lengths so that you don't trip.
So please, as difficult as it can be, try to be patient.
Above all, never forget to be respectful toward your aging parent or family member, or whoever you might be caring for.
Most of all make sure they are safe.
Remember, you are doing for them what they or someone like them did for you when you were younger, loving you, caring for you, making sure you had a nice warm home, and so on.
So make time today to give mom, dad or your grandparents a big, warm hug.
Don't worry if they don't understand the reason why you're giving them attention and affection, at least it will make you feel good and most likely, it will make them feel loved too.