Were you one of many adult children who came home to visit your parents during the holidays and thought to yourself–they aren’t moving like they used to? Maybe this caused you to be surprised or it was overwhelming. Maybe you found pills sitting on the counter at the end of the week; or expired food in the refrigerator; or housekeeping not like it used to be. Instead of trying to correct the situation, talk with your parents to find out how things have been going for them? Are things harder for them to do? And then follow up by asking your parents for their input on what support they would find helpful.
Your parents are still your parents. You’ll need to respect their desire for independence, autonomy, and thoughts. Be collaborative in your conversations instead of dictating what the plan is. Flexibility is key. Figure out the next steps and know that you don’t have to do it alone. You can call us at Winneshiek County Public Health to learn how we can assist with medication set-ups, showers and personal cares, and homemaking services such as laundry and light cleaning. Finally, give yourself and your parents some grace. You don’t have the all the answers and we each age a bit differently. It’s ok to have mixed feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, and love. It’s nobody’s fault that parents are aging–so are you! We’re here to help you navigate some of those curves ahead. Give us a call at 563-382-4662