As your parents get older, there’s a good chance they’ll need a little extra help. From assistance with practical things, such as tending the garden, to companionship and company, there are a variety of ways you can provide support to elderly relatives.

However, things can get tricky when parents resist your attempts to help them or when your responsibilities clash with your parents’ needs. To find a solution that works for everyone, take a look at these top tips on how to provide support to elderly parents:

1. Talk to Your Parents

First and foremost, you need to find out exactly what help your parents would like. Older people are reluctant to be a burden, which means they be hesitant to ask for your help. By making it clear that you want to offer support, you give them the freedom to state what help they require.

There are many ways you can create a safer home environment for elderly parents, for example. Installing handrails, purchasing pressure relief equipment or adding non-slip grips to stairs are simple yet highly effective ways to prevent injuries. When you ask what day-to-day activities they struggle with, you’ll be able to come up with the right solutions.

2. Get Medical Advice

Ask your parents if you can attend medical appointments with them and use the opportunity to get a clearer insight into their well-being and what support they might need. This will ensure that you’re getting the right information, but it will also enable you to talk to doctors and nurses about what support or assistance is available.

3. Stay in Touch

If your parents are still active and independent, they may not require help with daily activities or assistance with practical tasks. However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t require company and companionship. By staying in touch regularly, talking on the phone, video calling and visiting frequently, you can ensure that elderly parents remain central figures in the family.

4. Talk About Living Options

As people get older, living independently may no longer be an option. If so, it’s important to find out what your parents’ wishes are. This can be a challenging topic to discuss, especially as people may insist that they’re fine as they are. Avoiding the issue won’t make it disappear, however, which means you’ll need to broach the subject when the time is right.

Explaining to your parents what the options ensures they still have a choice about where and how to live. You may want to invite your parents to live with you, for example, or help them to find an assisted living facility that can provide the support they need.

When to Talk About the Future

Many people find it hard to talk to their parents about what will happen as they get older, but discussing the subject ensures you can find out what they want and need. By talking freely about what support they may require while your parents are still active and independent, it can make it easier to plan for the future and it will enable you to provide assistance when it’s required.