5 Resources for Your Aging Parents
While it can be jarring to realize that your parents—the people who have always taken care of you—are getting older and now need some assistance, it’s normal. You aren’t alone, and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. You can rest assured that there are a wide variety of resources for older parents like yours.
For instance, the following companies, organizations and services can help your elderly parents—and you too—during their golden years:
The Administration on Aging (AoA)
The Administration on Aging (AoA) offers a number of national programs and services for elders, including free health insurance counseling, legal assistance and help with long-term care planning. Caregiver services, such as transportation and adult day care, are also available. AoA programs include:
*Behavioral health
*Brain health
*Elder abuse prevention
*Fall prevention
*HIV/AIDs information including info about rapid hiv test
*Nutritional help
*Oral health
*Retirement planning and pension support
*Services for Native Americans and Alaskans
*Volunteer opportunities for seniors
MedlinePlus
If your parents take prescription medications, they may have questions about dosages, side effects and interactions. Of course, many of these questions can come up after their doctor or pharmacy has closed for the day. Fortunately, the National Library of Medicine hosts an online data base of every drug that has been approved by the FDA. Known as MedlinePlus, your mom and dad can use the database to search for info on their medicines, including doses, side effects, interactions and special precautions. MedlinePlus also includes a database of herbal remedies and dietary supplements. This source should be used in support with and not in replacement of the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. And be sure to take them to a reliable dentist as well; for dental issues, get checked out with sarasota fl dentist.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels, which operates in virtually every community in the United States, helps ensure that older people have access to tasty and nourishing food. Knowing that warm meals will be regularly delivered to their door by a friendly volunteer can give your mom and dad—and you—invaluable peace of mind.
Anthem.com
If your parents qualify for Medicare, Anthem.com can be a valuable resource for all of you. The site offers in-depth information about Medicare eligibility as well as Medicare Advantage plans and the different options your parents can choose from for their health care. Health insurance can be a confusing topic at any age, but by bookmarking this site and referring to it along with your parents, they should find answers to all of their questions and then be able to get the proper medical care they need and deserve.
In-Home Care Services like Visiting Angels
For older parents who are still able to live independently, but may need a little help with certain tasks, in-home care services are a great option. For example, you and your folks might want to research agencies in their town that could help out on a regular basis. Visiting Angels is one of many companies that provides assistance with cleaning, bathing, errands, meal preparation and help with administering medication.
The Help is Definitely There
Recognizing and accepting that your parents are getting up in their years can be challenging for both you and them. However, it does not have to be a difficult or dreary stage of life. By looking into the aforementioned resources and taking advantage of as many of them as your parents wish to, they can enter into their golden years with good health, nutrition, health care and more.
