Life expectancy in the United States has been increasing. Older Americans comprise a larger percentage of the population than ever before. While this longevity is certainly something to celebrate, it also important to realize that family dynamics change as parents reach their senior years and grown children have to help their parents in new ways. An estimated 10 million children over the age of 50 are now caring for their aging parents.

 Taking Care of Health

As people age, they typically experience an increase in medical issues. Help your parents find reliable, trustworthy doctors who can address these issues and help your parents stay as healthy and able-bodied as possible. For example, 50 percent of Americans age 75 and older experience disabling hearing loss. Providing your loved ones with audiology care and perhaps even hearing aids can help them overcome hearing loss. Many people also experience a need for increased dental care as they get older. Again, you will want to make sure your loved one is provided with the medical attention they need, whether they just need routine check-ups or perhaps even dentures. Go with your loved ones to doctors’ appointments. You will be able to help explain how your family member has been in regards to his or her health. It is also helpful to have an extra set of ears at the appointment so you can help your loved one remember what the doctor said. You can even take notes to ensure that nothing is forgotten.

Your parents are also likely to take more medications as they get older. It is important to be aware of what medications they are taking, what the medications are for, and possible side effects. MedlinePlus is a database provided through the National Institutes of Health. This resource has all sorts of information about every drug that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, making it a wonderful tool for researching the medications your loved ones are taking.

Talk to your parents about giving you access to their medical information. The Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ensure privacy of health information. However, by signing a form at the doctor’s office, your parents can give you access to their medical information, which can be quite helpful when caring for them. Discuss obtaining power of attorney for healthcare for your parents. This allows you to make health decisions for your parents if they are unable to do so.

Considering Assisted Living

As your loved ones age, they may gradually need more and more care. At some point, you may want to move your parents into an assisted living facility, where a staff on hand 24 hours a day. If your loved one requires assisted living, find a reliable and comfortable place for them to live such as Victoria Mews Assisted Living. Homes like this balance independence with assistance. Residents can enjoy private suites, laundry services, a variety of dining options, a library, a chapel, and a therapy center, along with other accommodations. Finding a home that offers a wide variety of amenities will mean your loved one has everything he or she needs right there, and this allows them to continue to have the level of independence they desire. Be sure you do your research before placing your family members in an assisted living facility; you want to make sure the home you choose is appropriate for the level of care your loved ones need.

Balancing Finances

Providing for loved ones can be expensive. Fortunately, there are several government programs that can help cut that costs. Medicare is a helpful option for many individuals with limited incomes. Not only does Medicare provide hospital and medical insurance, it can also cover prescription drugs. Medicaid is also a government-run program that provides health …