When they’ve been the ones helping us all our lives, it’s not easy when we realise that Mum and Dad might be the ones needing our support. So, as they face new challenges at their age, regularly keeping in touch with our parents can be very helpful.
You may not be able to see them often and you don’t necessarily need to call them daily. But talking with them over the phone allows you to find out when something isn’t going right with their living conditions or their health. When you’re aware of their needs, you can be there to support them or get them the help they need.
Here are three challenges to be aware of as you stay in touch with Mum and Dad.
Are your parents comfortably navigating their living space?
If they are experiencing physical challenges, it’s good to be aware of certain adjustments that could help them safely move around their home. For example, if steps are becoming difficult, it might be time to consider moving their bedroom to the main floor or installing a ramp that would help them get in and out of the house.
Are your parents independent but struggle to do specific tasks?
By staying in touch, you can be aware of their limitations and get them the help they need with specific tasks that are becoming too taxing. Maybe you need to find someone who can take over the garden’s maintenance for Dad? Or it might be beneficial for Mum to sign up for delivery services for groceries.
Are you aware of their health conditions?
Are your parents living with health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, dementia, sight loss, hearing loss, or any other health issues?
By staying in touch, you can give them the support and encouragement they need to cope and to get better. You can cheer them on whenever they make positive choices like switching to a healthier diet or exercising. You can be happy for them when they’re getting medicines, treatments or therapies that are bringing improvements and making them feel better. You can give them emotional support when they’re having a bad day with their health issues, and you can be aware when they are experiencing new symptoms that should be addressed as soon as possible.
Give them an accessible phone that they can use with confidence.
The first step to keeping in touch is having an accessible phone that Mum and Dad can easily and confidently use every day.
If it’s hard to stay in touch because sight loss makes it difficult for Mum and Dad to use their mobile phones, the RealSAM Pocket is an accessible smartphone designed for those who are blind and visually impaired. With Pocket, there’s no worries about being overwhelmed with apps that are difficult to see and complicated touch screen gestures.
With voice recognition on Pocket, it’s easier to stay in touch. Mum and Dad can easily press the ‘tap to talk’ button and tell Pocket to make calls, add contacts and send and read messages.
Find out if Pocket can help you stay in touch with your loved ones. Contact us at any time with any questions at 033 772 2708.
By Guenivir Kendrick
