The One Lesson Your Parents Never Taught You — Delilah’s Reflections

It becomes a difficult task sometimes as parents grow older and are in need of better care.

That's why it should be something people look into before it's too late.

Your parents taught you enough to get by, to be successful, but the one thing they left out was the lesson on how to take care of them as they age. Both of my parents passed on many years ago, but I've been part of the conversation and a shoulder to lean on for several close friends who were unsure about the care options for their elderly parents. It's a tough conversation to have when your mom refuses to even discuss moving to a nursing home, but you're worried about her climbing the stairs every day. Dad won't give up the keys to the car, but you know he shouldn't be on the road. The thing is, most people don't realize that a wide range of home care options exist between living independently and moving into a senior residence or nursing home.

If you think this doesn't apply to you, let me put the brakes on that thought - because good information applies to everyone, and one day you may need to console a friend whose folks need more care and attention than she can give, or you may want to educate your own child and make a plan about care options for you. The Senior Care Decision Guide from Interim HealthCare is a wonderful resource for everyone to have as it will help provide answers to the hard questions you may already be asking yourself. Is my dad safe in his home? How can I take care of my mom when I live seven states away? How do I know when my parent needs assistance, and how do I go about making sure he gets the right kind of help? Getting informed about those options makes it easier to talk about solutions that will allow your loved ones to keep their independence - and dignity - while providing you with peace of mind.

Do YOU have any input on what to do when parents grow older? Share by commenting below!

Rachel Specht contributed to this post