Never be too busy for your parents

Happy Friday! I've written about aging parents and grandparents before, and my friend Sarah was inspired by that post to expand a little so is here today to do the same. Friends, I often have space on a Friday - if you are polishing your writing chops or have something to say or are trying to get into freelance writing and want some exposure and want to submit a post, email me! Have a great weekend!

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You're busy, we're busy, I'm busy, we get it...people are busy. It can be difficult to find the right amount of hours in a day to do everything you need to do. There will be times when your needs will have to come first. But please don't be too busy to care for your aging parents, for a number of reasons, including...

They cared for you

Growing up isn't easy, but if you are one of the lucky ones, you had your parents to help you along the way. When you cried as a baby, they held you in their arms. When you stumbled when making your first steps, they picked you back up and guided you on your way. They gave you moral support on your first day of school, celebrated your birthdays, gave you lifts to the places where you needed to be, and they listened to you whenever you needed to talk. They cared for you, and as time passes and they need you to care for them, it's the circle of life and it shouldn't be broken.

They might feel lonely

How many people do you have in your life? From your children to your friends to your coworkers, you might have so much social company you don't consider those who don't. If they aren't able to get around because of their advancing years, your parents might not have the means to see many people. As they get older, they will also see their friendships diminish when age finally defeats their peers. And the problem is compounded if you only have one parent living today, as they won't have that other person to lift them up when they get down. So give them a call, chat with them on Skype, or pay them a visit today.

Their health could be failing

With age comes deteriorating health, and it is something we all have to face up to, including when it's our parents. If you haven't visited them in a long time, you might not have noticed the fact that they are having difficulty hearing. You might not have realized that they aren't as mobile as they used to be. And if they haven't called you, it might be because they have forgotten, not because they don't care, but because their memory is no longer what it once was. So, make every effort to visit them. They might need medical care, and if they aren't able to find it themselves, you will need to do it for them.

They might be in trouble

Older people are vulnerable, and there could be people threatening to do them some kind of harm: door-to-door scammers, cold callers who can easily take advantage of the elderly...you would never know if you didn't speak to your parents. You might need to guide them on elderly fraud scams or check their financial situation and find legal help if they have been scammed. And while we hope this would never be your parent's situation, if they are currently in a nursing or care home, they might also need you to look for nursing home abuse attorneys with proven results if they have been neglected in any way.

And so…

Never be too busy to care for your aging parents. In all kinds of ways, they might need you around. And besides, while you may be out of short pants and living an adult life, your parents still have a ton to offer you too, be that moral support, a listening ear, and a hug that will do you both a world of good today.

Make the time!