How To Help A Lonely Parent

It can be tough to watch your parents get old, let alone watch them feel lonely. Moving out and starting a life of your own is natural, but nobody can really prepare you for what it feels like to watch your parents become old and lonely. Of course, you want to help them, but it can be tough to know what to do. Below, we’ll take a look at how to help a lonely parent so you feel a little more prepared:

1. Aim To Maintain Frequent Contact With Your Parent
   

   The first thing you should do is aim to maintain frequent contact with your parent. Make sure any siblings you have to do the same. You can call them, visit them, and take them out. Obviously, your schedule may not allow too many trips each week, but a phone call and even a quick visit can make a big difference. Set a sort of schedule with them, and make sure you stick to your promises.

2. Check Out Community Resources
   

   Community resources could be a great way for your parent to make friends. For example, you may be able to find centers that host get-togethers and classes where they can connect and make good friends. It may be art and crafts evening, a coffee morning, or something else they can do. Even taking them to a gentle gym class may be a good way for them to meet friends and like-minded people.

3. See If You Can Teach Them To Use Technology

   Technology could help your parents to stay in touch. A skype call when you can’t make it one day could make all the difference to them. Many older people will resist learning how to use a mobile phone, but doing so could make a huge difference in their lives.

4. Hire Some Help

   If you need to, consider hiring in home care to assist your parents day today. Caring for your parents once they reach a certain age can be overwhelming and feel impossible. Hiring help could mean having somebody go and make your parent lunch, and even tidy up for them. The service can be tailored to suit you and your parents.

5. Consider Whether A Pet Is A Good Idea

   A pet, if your parent likes them, could be a good way to improve their mental, emotional, and physical health. Of course, you may worry about taking care of the pet once your parent is no longer there to do so, so you will need to consider the type of pet you choose. 

6. Help Your Parent To Help Themselves

   There’s a school of thought that says meditation can help to combat loneliness. A study published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity suggested that just eight weeks of training in mindfulness could decrease those lonely feelings. By gifting your parents books and other ways of helping themselves, they could discover a spiritual side they never knew they had. You could even head to a class with them!