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4 Tips When It’s Time to Care for an Aging Parent

Blog Content Creator • Nov 30, 2021

There is good news to share on the current health of our society: people are living longer than ever before. With that news comes a caveat, in that longer life spans confront us with new and often daunting challenges, especially when it comes to caring for an aging family member.

Sometimes, crisis strikes suddenly, and responsibility for a loved one becomes thrust onto your shoulders. Your mother falls and breaks a hip. Dad experiences a side effect of his medication. Other times, the weight of becoming a caregiver comes gradually, giving you time to plan and make arrangements for your parents. When this happens, what do you do? What steps can you take? We know the challenges that come when we watch our parents age, and we have to find a transfer service. At Affordable Burials and Cremations, we recommend four steps to our neighbors in Toronto take to prepare for your family.

  1. Arm yourself with knowledge.

Today, we have the astounding advantage of the Internet and the wealth of information that it can pour right onto our desktops. Sites like Aging Parents and Elder Care offer enormous amounts of excellent information about problems your parents may encounter.

  1. Watch for warning signs.

Keep an eye out for early symptoms like difficulty walking, unsteadiness, or falling. Often, older people neglect their grooming and hygiene, lose their appetite, or change their eating habits. They may begin to leave spoiled food in the refrigerator or unopened mail on the table. Forgetfulness can lead to mishandling of medication, which can lead to additional, more dangerous complications.

  1. Assess the situation.

What challenges is your loved one facing? How will you address the problems? Some of the issues may be correctable. Elderly individuals often take several types of drugs that can interact negatively and cause damage. You can look up information on prescription drug interactions, but always contact a doctor if you have significant concerns about medication.

Aging loved ones are also susceptible to vitamin deficiencies, which can cause symptoms similar to age dementia. Consult a doctor to test for deficiencies and learn if changes in medication or routine can resolve them. Unfortunately, many problems are a natural consequence of aging. They are not easily corrected, and you will need to decide what kind of assistance your loved one needs. Think carefully about living arrangements. Consider whether the person can remain in their own home or if you must take the step of moving them to a facility near you or another family member.

  1. Prepare before the problem.

Some elderly individuals have the forethinking to make plans for their inevitable health and living problems while others may not. It is all too common for a person in declining health to deny the situation and not have the documents and other information you will need. It may be a difficult conversation to have. Still, it would help if you ask your parents about their wishes, medical history, and financial history so that you can help them receive the best care down the road. You can also take steps to help them preplan and save for their funeral or cremation service , so you both have one less thing to worry you. Furthermore, many adults with aging parents never see the inside of an assisted living facility until a parent needs one, and there is little time to consider options. It’s always better to do preemptive research about resources in Toronto to ensure you’re informed when facing a decision.

The biggest challenge when you switch roles and become the caregiver for your parent is providing the type of caring and compassion they require while still maintaining a life of your own. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. We are always available to assist you with questions or concerns about the best care for your loved one. You are welcome to call or visit us at any time to discuss preplanning a funeral service with your loved ones, keeping them involved, and ensuring their final wishes will be seen through.

Contact us today for additional resources and support.

19 Oct, 2023
The death of a beloved friend or family member is one of life’s greatest challenges. Our staff at Affordable Burials and Cremations sees firsthand how a loss can turn the world upside down, creating unfamiliar feelings and unexpected reactions. Grief often affects a person physically, emotionally, and even spiritually, as they struggle to adjust to life without their loved one in it. Taking part in a grief group benefits you embracing the opportunity to express feelings with others who understand what they are going through. Some who have lost a loved one wonder if a support group could ever help them. They are so mired in their grief they can’t even imagine sitting down in a room of strangers. But support groups are a time-tested method of help for people struggling with all sorts of difficulties – and grief is among them. That said, it’s important to find a support group that works for you; one that is free of judgement, offers guidance, validation, and reassurance. Here are four groups our team recommends: GriefShare – Support online and in person for adults grieving a loss GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. GriefShare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help. You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life. Web Healing – Interactive Grief website Web Healing, the internet’s first interactive grief website, has served the bereaved on the net since 1995. It offers grief discussion boards where men and women can discuss issues related to grief and healing or browse recommended grief books. The site’s originator, Tom Golden, LCSW, is an internationally known psychotherapist, author, and speaker on the topic of healing from loss. The Compassionate Friends – Support after the death of a child Whether your family has had a child die (at any age, from any cause), or you are trying to help those who have gone through this life-altering experience, The Compassionate Friends exists to provide friendship, understanding, and hope to those going through the natural grieving process. The Compassionate Friends has been supporting bereaved families after the death of a child for four decades. Remember, no matter where you are in your grief journey, you can always turn to us for advice and assistance. We’ve been serving families in the Toronto area for more than 50 years now and have many connections and numerous resources available. You can c ount on us to be there for you – always.
19 Oct, 2023
1. Personalized service: Family-run businesses often provide a more personalized experience for their customers, as they may have more invested in the success of each individual customer. 2. Long-term focus: Family-run businesses prioritize long-term success over short-term gains, as they are vested in passing the business down to future generations. 3. Agility and flexibility: Family-run businesses are more agile and flexible in responding to changes in the market, as they do not have to go through multiple layers of bureaucracy to make decisions. 4. Stronger relationships: Family-run businesses have stronger relationships with their employees, as they view them more as family members than as just workers. 5. Community ties: Family-run businesses have stronger ties to the local community, as they have deep roots in the area and be more committed to supporting local initiatives. 6. Greater trust: Customers trust family-run businesses more than corporations, as they view them as more authentic and less focused solely on profits. 7. Innovation: Family-run businesses are more innovative in their approach to business, as they are more willing to take risks and try new things in order to stay competitive.
19 Oct, 2023
Cost: Cremation is often less expensive than traditional burial because it eliminates the need for a casket, embalming, and cemetery plot. Environmental impact: Cremation has a smaller environmental impact than burial because it doesn’t require land for burial or the use of embalming chemicals. Flexibility: With cremation, the family has more flexibility in terms of when and where to hold a memorial service, as the ashes can be kept in an urn or scattered in a location of their choice. Religious and cultural acceptance: Cremation is more widely accepted in many religions and cultures than it once was. Space-saving: Cremation allows for more efficient use of space in cemeteries, which can be a concern in some urban areas.  It’s important to note that burial also has its advantages, such as providing a physical place for loved ones to visit and providing a sense of closure for some people. Ultimately, the choice between cremation and burial is a personal one and should be based on individual preferences, beliefs, and cultural practices.
By Blog Content Creator 17 Jun, 2022
When a family in Toronto is considering cremation instead of traditional burial , they may wonder if their options are limited or even impersonal – but this is definitely not the case when you choose Affordable Burials and Cremations . More people in Toronto and around Canada are choosing cremation than ever before, and our caring team will explain how we can meet your needs and wishes in creating a meaningful tribute without sacrificing the healing, traditional elements of a burial.
By Blog Content Creator 15 Jun, 2022
Beyond the many demands of assisting with a loved one’s healthcare, caregiving encompasses much more. Childcare responsibilities, help with schoolwork, and limited access to services have been heaped onto many – not to mention the general toll that caregiving can take over time.
By Blog Content Creator 15 Jun, 2022
At Affordable Burials and Cremations we’ve noticed in recent years that more and more people are planning their own funeral. And some choose to do it rather early in life – many as soon as they retire. These people realize that not only are they taking the opportunity to express their own desires about their farewell, but they’re also removing a huge burden from their family. When the time comes, there will be no guessing and no arguments about what they would have wanted. Everything will be easily accessible for you.
By Blog Content Creator 23 May, 2022
Throughout our lives, we collect quite a few things possessions: furniture, clothing, knickknacks, books, and more. When a family member dies , they leave their belongings behind along with the question, “What should you do with all of this stuff?” It’s no surprise this is a highly sensitive issue, as these items serve as a visible reminder of someone who meant so much to so many.
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Dear grieving mothers,
By Blog Content Creator 05 May, 2022
Throughout our decades of experience at Affordable Burials and Cremations , our caring team has been asked many times by families in the Toronto area what it’s like to be in deathcare, and whether our work is somehow depressing and morbid. While it is true that the work we do here is not easy, we always respond that above all else, our work is immensely rewarding. It is a tremendous honor to have someone entrust to you the planning of a loved one’s final farewell . We are also constantly inspired by the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of the family bond when facing a loss together. It is true tragedy often brings out the best in people.
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