They spent their lives raising you; now is the time to pay off! It’s often not until children grow up and become parents themselves that they realise just how many sacrifices their own parents made for them.

It’s so easy to take your mother and father for granted, especially if they were always there when you needed them. Even if they weren’t, chances are they did the best they could.

If you’re lucky enough to have one or both of your parents still around, now is the time to give something back. None of us can see what the future holds, and showing you parents you care is definitely something you won’t live to regret.

Below are five simple things you can do to show your parents you appreciate them.

1. Spend time with them. We all lead such busy lives these days that it can be easy to look at family visits as just another chore to tick off the list. Sitting down and really talking to your parents is one of the best thing you can do. Put the technology away and just enjoy each others company. If your parent’s aren’t chatty types, then do something together you all enjoy. Quality time is the key to great relationships.
2. Pay for them once in a while. When you’re so accustomed to your parents being the cashed-up ones who’ve always paid for you, it can be hard to face the fact that you might make more money than them. A lot of older people work reduced hours and retirement can be a struggle. Do the thoughtful thing now and then and foot the bill. It’s really the least you can do considering how much they’ve bought for you over the years! They spent their lives raising you; now is the time to pay off!
3. Be there when they need you. It’s a fact of life that as they age, parents are going to need more help, especially when they become less mobile. Jobs such as shopping and driving to doctors’ appointments in later years often fall to adult children. Try not to make your parents feel like they’re a burden at these times. They’re already going through a major transition dealing with the loss of independence. Making them feel worse isn’t good for anyone. If you want your parent to be happy and healthy well into old age, it’s important that they feel loved and valued, not like you’d be better off without them.
4. Respect their wishes. This is especially important when your parents can’t make decisions for themselves anymore. No one likes to talk about death and the choices that have to be made at the end of life, but knowing what your parents want will help make their final time easier on everyone. From their feelings about medical intervention to funeral arrangements, try to talk with them before it’s too late. This way you’ll be prepared when the time comes and have peace of mind that you’re making the right decisions.
5. Honor their memory. After they’re gone it’s up to you to keep your parent’s memory alive. There are many ways you can do this, from sharing your stories with family and friends, to just taking a moment to think about them now and then. What better way to pay your parents back for everything they gave you than to remember them well and cherish the time you had together.

They spent their lives raising you; now is the time to pay off. It’s never too late to show you care. Let Alhomecare.ie help you ensure a comfortable life for your elderly loved ones.

Article By Lauren Williamson