Issues & Challenges of Parental Care

Topics To Talk About When Visiting A Senior Parent

Having a senior parent requires you to become more patient and understanding. “The responsibility of providing care for an aging or ill loved one is a challenge in its own right,” says Carol Bradley Bursack. There are many things that you have to consider when it comes to dealing with an old parent. One of these is his interest in knowing about the latest updates in your life. This is why you have to make it a habit to visit him on a regular basis. Do not let a week pass without coming over to your parent’s house or visiting him in a senior care facility. Below are some of the topics that he would love to discuss and talk about:

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Live With A Senior Parent: Is This The Right Decision?

“As your parents age you will feel a wide range of emotions,” says Maud Purcell, LCSW, CEAP. Many questions come to mind when it comes to taking good care of one’s elderly parent, some of which include identifying the proper living arrangements for them as well as looking into their finances. Unfortunately, this becomes challenging especially if you already have a family of your own. In this article, we are going to look into the different tips on how you could handle the necessity of having an elderly parent live with you. Be sure to remember these:

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How To Help A Senior Parent Solve Financial Problems

Many issues will usually surface once your parent starts to grow older. One of the concerns that you need to take into consideration is the existence of financial problems that your elderly parent has. According to Brad Klontz Psy.D., CFP, “Problems with money are incredibly common, and are often responses to stressful life events.” No matter how much you try to ignore this situation, you will always be part of his life. Because of this, it is essential that you exert some effort in helping him deal with financial issues. Below are some of the top things that you could do:

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Never Do These When Visiting An Old Parent

If there is one thing that you need to know about seniors, it is the fact that most of them are already impatient and grouchy. Just remember that this change in attitude is not all about you. Keep in mind that the way they act or react to anything you say and do is affected by several factors. Because of all these, it is highly recommended that you exert more understanding when it comes to dealing with a senior parent. You need to put up with her new kind of attitude. “Empathize with your parents,” says Christina Steinorth, MFT, a psychotherapist.

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Top 3 Common Things That Kids Forget About Aging Parents

Now that you are already an adult, you probably spend most of your time doing work at the office or running your own business. Sometimes, you will feel that the twenty-four hours you get a day are no longer enough for all the things you want to do. Because of this, there is a high tendency that you will miss spending time with your aging parents. While this is only typical of an adult, it is not an excuse for doing it regularly.

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Why You Shouldn’t Think Of Cost-Cutting When It Comes To Your Beloved Parents

When I am not busy working, you will typically find me volunteering at homeless shelters all over the city. You can say that it is one of the teenage passions that I have carried over to adulthood. I enjoy teaching and cooking for the less fortunate individuals in the community than drinking and partying with friends. Continue reading “Why You Shouldn’t Think Of Cost-Cutting When It Comes To Your Beloved Parents”

What To Tell Elderly Parents About Healthy Eating

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Most elders criticize the members of the younger generations for loving fast foods. They tend to say, “When we were your age, we’re more than happy to eat fruits and vegetables.” Thus, they get to live a long life. “The food you eat can have a direct effect on your energy level, physical health, and mood,” says Carol A. Gooch,M.S., LPC, LCDC, LMFT.

Despite that, it’s no secret that some senior citizens have embraced innovation too much, to the point that they no longer want to eat healthily. In their minds, you can only live once; that’s why you should eat whatever you want while it’s still possible.

In case your elderly parents won’t listen to you about healthy eating, here are some things you can tell them.

You will always look and feel fresh. According to psychologists Lawrence Robinson, Jeanne Segal Ph.D., and Robert Segal, M.A., “Eating a healthy diet is not about strict limitations, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, improving your health, and boosting your mood.” Even after eight hours, you will still have the energy to cook for your family or play with your grandkids. You will also not have to get checked by a doctor often, except for general examinations. You can do any activity you want because you are getting all the nutrients that your body needs to stay fit.
Coughs and influenzas will rarely be a problem even if people who are infected by them surround you. After all, your immune system will be strong enough to fight such viruses. If ever you do get affected, your recovery time will be faster.

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You will never have to worry again about your weight. Some people panic when they see that they are gaining or losing weight, but if you only stick to healthy meals all day, you will never face that problem.
Your brain will function better, so you can also perform better during the day. A study has proven that healthy eating can help you keep your mind and memory sharp even at an old age.
You can get all the nutrients and minerals that your body needs.
In a way, it will always make you happy because your digestion will be smooth, thanks to the fiber in your food.
You will have glowing skin, and you will not have to drink or apply any chemically infused products that may have side effects on you later on.
It will make you live longer. Now you know the secret of the oldies who are already in their 80s but still seem stronger than other people younger than them.

Recommendations

If you have aging parents, it is recommended that you begin changing their diet into a healthier one. They are more prone to diseases than ever, so they need to eat real foods that can replenish the nutrients in their bodies. There are many adults right now who have kept on just eating burgers and sweets in their childhood and are now regretting it, so do not let them live that way.

It is great to be on this earth without having to worry about acquiring many illnesses or other health-related problems. Besides, you will feel clean inside and out because you are not eating much crappy food already that does nothing but add empty calories to your body.

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Enforcing a proper diet is not a bad thing. No matter how old you are now, do not think that you are already too old to change your food lifestyle. After all, it is still better late than never. “In reality, having a healthy relationship with food involves indulging along with being flexible and kind to yourself,” stated Rachel Goldman, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist focused on health and wellness.

Why You Should Let Your Elderly Parents Eat Dark Chocolate

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“Is adding dark chocolate on your healthy eating plans a good idea?”

This is the question that a lot of people ask, especially by the chocolate lovers who find it challenging to get rid of this yummy treat completely. Yes, it is hard to let go of this delicate chocolate, so you may be thrilled to know that dark chocolate is an excellent addition to your diet.

There have been whispers before that dark chocolate is great for your health. No, these are not made up by chocolate manufacturers who want to earn more profits. According to some studies, what makes dark chocolate better and healthier than other kinds of chocolate is the substantial amount of cocoa left in the product. White or milk chocolate tastes sweet because there are more sugar, milk solids, and other additives in it than cocoa, you see. And since chocolates go through the heating process, that little content gets even smaller. Dark chocolate, on the other hand, is bittersweet, but the health benefits of cocoa are still intact.

In case you still can’t decide whether you should give dark chocolates to your elderly parents, here are more reasons why you should do it.

Blood Pressure Normalization

Some researches show that dark chocolates have cocoa polyphenols. These are micronutrients that help reduce a person’s blood pressure without affecting their body weight. The change may not happen as soon as you take a bite on your dark chocolate, but you will eventually see it. Not to mention, you must admit that it tastes better than any medicine prescribed by your doctor.

Combats Free Radicals

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The nutrients in dark chocolate improve the movement of your arteries. Aside from that, its antioxidants are great against free radicals that cause heart diseases and even some forms of cancer. This function is especially beneficial for aging individuals who are prone to such illnesses.

Bad Cholesterol Decline

Dark chocolate should be eaten by people who have high levels of bad cholesterol. It is also great for those who want to reduce weight because eating it makes you lose your appetite and get more energy. Furthermore, it has fiber that can aid in your digestion process, as well as magnesium that reduces risks of blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

Mood Enhancer

If you are feeling sad, get a piece of dark chocolate, and you will have a better outlook on life. After all, cocoa can enhance your mood by aggregating the dopamine activity of your brain. Your parents may feel not so lonely when they can eat it.

Final Thoughts

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Getting darker chocolate is better than having dark chocolate, of course. However, you should know that you may still gain extra pounds if this is all you eat every day. If you munch on dark chocolate nonstop, its health benefits will inevitably be overpowered by its high levels of calorie. Moderation is the key to everything.

We hope that the information above will make you feel less guilty of giving chocolates to your elderly parents. Cheers!

Ten Things You Can Do For Your Mental Health

If you feel yourself on the edge of burnout, take a look at some of these tips we’ve compiled for you below. They might just be what you need to get you out of that rut. After all, your mental health comes first before everything else. According to psychologist Diana Raab Ph.D., “Being emotionally well doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re happy all the time, but rather, that you’re self-aware and able to shift as a way to feel better.”

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