In most countries, our aging parents are our greatest assets. The years of experience and knowledge that they can provide the younger generations is priceless! As our parents age, however, their wisdom and strength must be preserved by being willing to assist them if they begin to need their family’s help.
As I watch my own mother begin to show serious signs of aging, I pray that I can be there whenever her needs arise.
Today, it was a very hot and humid day in New York City. Temperatures were near 100 degrees and the air quality was extremely poor. In conditions such as these, when weather forecasters strongly advise that the elderly and the medically ill citizens remain indoors, it is most important for families and friends to check in on them.
I live more than 100 miles from my mother who is asthmatic and has heart disease. The best that I could do today was to call her and admonish her for being outside at one o’clock in the afternoon. Most people know that between the hours of ten in the morning and two in the afternoon, the sun is at its highest point and most unhealthy.
I also called her next door neighbor and asked that she periodically check in on my dear mother and to call me if she was insisting on hanging out in the heat.
I advised my mother to drink plenty of water and to remain indoors under a fan. Thankfully, my mother does not drink alcohol because alcohol will dehydrate the body and can cause the elderly to pass out should they become overwhelmed with dizziness.
If your aging parent is as stubborn as mine is, you may have to become like the parent and the aging parent becomes like the child. In many cases, they are hard-headed, belligerent and argumentative, saying that they are old enough to take care of themselves. But, are they really when they reach their golden years?
My mother is nearing 75 years old and is noticeably less active than she used to be. Her legs are not so steady any more. She is in need of a hearing aid but pride tells her that she can hear just fine.
IN the heat, we must be extra vigilant when it comes to caring for our aging parents. Advise them to wear lightweight cotton clothing if they must go out for appointments. Gently suggest that they wear light colored clothing, preferably white, that will reflect the rays of the sun.
Offer to drive them places so that they can avoid the underground conditions in subways or waiting in the heat for a public transportation.
Our aging parents are the life of the family and many times in the community or the village in which they live. Our children must learn respect them and be taught to help them when health becomes and issue.
I recall many times in recent years, feeling quite overcome by the heat. My breathing became labored. My head was very light. I felt extremely thirsty and I was sweating profusely. I thought that I would vomit. My husband helped me from the outside where I had been gardening, into the air conditioned bedroom. He said that I was exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion.
Now, I am forty-three years old. Imagine an aged parent, maybe in their eighties, nineties or even over 100 years old feeling as I felt. I do not believe that our parents could help themselves in cases like what happened to me. Especially, if they live alone.
I am thankful that my teen aged son is visiting with my mother for a few weeks of the summer. He has the utmost respect for his grandmother and offers to run errands to the grocery store for her. He will feed and walk my mother’s two dogs so that she does not have to be in and out in the relentless heat of the sun.
Please remember that our parents did these same things for us when we were younger. It is the very least that we can do for them now that they are growing old. Allow them to maintain their dignity by offering to help in any way. Be firm, but gentle when it is necessary.