As we begin to get older, our roles start to switch with our parents. Taking care of your parents in their old age is a common challenge many people are starting to have to face. Check out these 7 items that belong on any comprehensive caring for elderly parents checklist!

1. Ensure Your Parent’s Health Needs Are Being Met

One of the top priorities on any elderly parents checklist is addressing the health of your parents. Coordinate your checklist with their doctor so that you have information about their care routines and medications. It’s also important to coordinate expenses spent on health care with the insurance company. Insurance companies can be a hassle to deal with, which makes doing things ahead of time important.

Contact information for the doctor and medication routines need to be clearly visible around the home in multiple places. These are examples of some tasks that belong on any elderly parents checklist in regards to healthcare.

2. Encourage The Elderly To Move As Often As Possible

Another important thing to include on your list is reminders to encourage your parents to move. Leading a sedentary lifestyle is particularly harmful to the elderly. Staying sedentary causes the body to lose muscle tissue, increases the progress of bone loss, and makes depression more likely.

If your parents are well, find ways to encourage them to move. Simple things like going for a walk or doing yoga can help them maintain their strength and health as they continue to get older. There are numerous health benefits that come with choosing to be active in old age.

3. Discuss Changing Living Arrangements

As your parents begin to get older, it becomes time for serious conversations. Living conditions in their final years is something that often gets overlooked by people taking care of their parents. If your parents are losing their strength as they age, you may have to make modifications to their home to make it safe for them to navigate.

Other people may not be happy with their living situation in a retirement home where it’s common for people to feel isolated. Take the time to discuss the living arrangements with your parents to find ways you can best help them.

4. Make Plans For Housekeeping

Housekeeping is another important item on any caring for elderly parents checklist. There’s no reason for your parents to exert themselves cleaning their living space. Often, elderly couples are left living in a home that’s way too big for two people, which causes things to pile up.

It’s worth investing in a housekeeping service to periodically help your parents with maintenance. Even if it’s only once a month, having the additional help will improve your parent’s living space. Maintaining a clean home with clear pathways also reduces the risk of someone suffering a fall.

5. Pay Attention To Your Parent’s Emotional State

Getting older isn’t easy, and neither is asking for help. Sometimes the symptoms of aging remain hidden under the surface. It’s important to check in with your parents from time to time and see how they’re doing. Make sure they aren’t suffering from things like insomnia, feelings of depression, or memory problems.

Identifying these symptoms ahead of time can help you take steps to improve their quality of life. Seniors have a higher risk of suffering from social isolation which increases their risk of depression. Checking in on their emotional state is especially important if they live in an environment such as a retirement home.

6. Ensure Your Parents Have Regularly Booked Doctor Appointments

Doctor appointments aren’t fun, but they’re a necessity when caring for the elderly. Make sure your parents have their appointments booked while ahead of time. Your primary caregiver should accompany your parents to their appointment to report any changes in behavior or health.

Make arrangements with your parent’s insurance company to have your expenses handled. Regular doctor appointments are especially important if your parents are living with a pre-existing medical condition. Having current medical information can help with the care your parents receive and can potentially impact your insurance rates.

7. Find Ways To Improve Their Living Space

Making their living environment easier to navigate goes a long way when taking care of the elderly. It’s well worth adding accessibility features to their home to improve their comfort and safety. Raised toilet seats, non-slip floors, and additional railings are examples of home improvements that can improve the quality of your parent’s lives.

Lowering shelves and making food in the fridge easier to access are also good ideas if you have shorter parents. Make sure your parents have adequate access to natural light and mobility tools such as canes and walkers to help them get around the house. Being able to maintain independence is an important factor that influences the mental state of the elderly.