Ask yourself, are you worried? Fearful? Angry? Overwhelmed? Or Scared? Reading about accidents that happen to senior citizens and elderly around us…

Above 60 years of life, when children have grown up, they are busy in their lives, managing their own family responsibilities; Elders feel startled being sidelined and considered as old and un-useful. Parents who have taught us how to walk, how to talk; and must be treated with respect and love that they deserve. To protect them, to keep them upbeat about life; to keep their heart unwrinkled not only when they have health problem but otherwise also their safety and well being should be concern of every child.

Goal is not to get things done your way or their way but the best way. It is important to make right decisions about parents even if they may not agree with it. And incase if they are suffering from forgetfulness or some bodily illness, their safety becomes more important.

Here are some tips:

a) If possible keep your senior family in your home. It becomes easy to take care of them.

b) Food is an important factor. Occasional indulgence in sweets or spicy food is okay.
cTelemarketing and Internet Fraud are increasing - Keep a watch on their daily routine and any unusual activity on financial or business front.
dBe on guard for maids, guards and house helps. Lonely or isolated seniors may be vulnerable to con criminals who befriend and provide them with companionship only to take advantage of them. Ask to talk to your parent's new friend to find out more about him or her.
e Elderly often want to make donations to worthy causes. Ensure that they get written information, receipts from such organization or people.
f If your parents use credit cards or handle business or when they are cleaning the house or selling of the junk. Please ensure that all information that could be compromised is destroyed before discarding them in the trash.
g Keeping a nurse or a house maid is not enough. Help build a network of neighbors, friends and family for your parents.

hBefore you contradict an older person, you should endeavor to understand him.
i If not exercise then at least a walk is necessary. They can take grandchildren out for walks and you can suggest errands that will get them out of the house and give them the much needed exercise. Yoga is said to be quite helpful for the aged. Osteoporosis and brittle bones are a common occurrence. Seniors can slip quite easily on highly polished tiles or wet surfaces.

j Communicating with Elder Parents - Although we have been with our parents more than with our children but when it come to communication on sensitive or emotional issues, our communication with parents becomes more difficult. Always frame your thoughts. Focus on being sensitive and respectful but talk openly, clearly with honesty.
k Regular health checkups are a must. One family member must find time to take them for their check up.

l Scan your newspaper for some function or event and suggest they attend it. Offer to take them along. There are spiritual discourses of some kind or the other where they can meet peers and make friends.
mBe remember, happiness is a safeguard against illness
n Do not litter the floor with objects and ensure there are no wires they can trip across. Make sure staircase has a strong railing.
o The aged can lose their balance, slip and fall and bang against sharp objects. Make sure that these risks are minimized. Things they use regularly should be within easy reach in bedrooms, bathrooms and in kitchens. Bathrooms and toilets are danger areas and it is easy for them to slip. Redo floor tiling with non-skid flooring or put rubber mats. Light up the bathroom well and keep everything within easy reach. Keep a small stool so they can sit and bathe.
p If they are staying alone, security against burglars is important. Install CCTV and a door camera so that they can see who is calling before opening doors.
q If they stay alone, equip them with some basic defensive tools like a pepper spray for emergency situations.
r Always keep a light on in their bedroom, even after they go to sleep so they do not have to fumble in the dark.
s Keep a tab on the medication they are taking. Are they protected against the cold and rain? Check they have woolens and even gloves and woolen socks for winter and that they wear it. Extreme temperatures can affect their health. Have a small heater going on in winter and adequate cooling for summer.
t Make it a point to include them in all your celebrations on festivals and social occasions. Makes them feel good to be in company of family and relatives.
u Prepare a small card and print out their blood group, name your contact number and address, a few health details and ensure they have it on them whey they go out.

v If they are staying alone, have your family and close family's contact numbers stored on a speed dial. Print list of important phone numbers in large size pasted near phone. Try visiting them each day; take them something like home cooked food and presents to show you care.
w Showing too much concern could also have a negative impact as they feel you are trying to control their lives. They are sensitive. For example, if you ask them if they would like to go on a “Yatra” they will misinterpret it as a sign that you want to get rid of them.
x If possible do not leave them all alone unless it is for a few hours or for a day. Arrange to have someone come in and give them company.
y If they do decide to go on a trip or join a tour, make absolutely sure they take their medicines with them, the tour operator is enlightened about their condition and that they will have someone to help out anytime of the day or night.
z Equip them with a cell phone and ensure they have it on them especially when they go out on a walk or shopping. And also make sure they have their reading glasses with them.

If you tell them directly of all the precautions they should take at their age, they may feel put off but print it out and present it to them as something you came across and you can be sure they will read with interest.
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An elderly gentleman seemed had serious hearing problems for a number of years.

He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, “Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased you can hear again.”

To which the gentleman said, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will five times!"