Create a Calendar or Schedule
If you don't have time due to a full schedule, complete a calendar with all your tasks. You may find that you have more free time than you realize. If not, you can send your calendar to your parent to brainstorm a time that works best for both of you. You can also set a scheduled time, date, or weekend each month to spend time together, giving your parents priority over other tasks.
Stay in Touch
It can be easy to let time slip by when you're busy. The next thing you know, it could be weeks or months before you’ve given your loved one a call or visit. Keep in contact with each other. Give yourself calendar reminders to visit or call. You can make plans easier when you’ve stayed in touch.
Plan Outings or Activities
A special occasion or trip can be an excellent opportunity for quality time. You can choose a local restaurant, attraction, or event to enjoy. When there is a reward for everyone, you’re more likely to schedule quality time regularly.
Involve Your Kids
Kids love spending time with grandparents, and it can be difficult for kids and their grandparents to maintain continuous contact at times. Bring your kids with you for a visit. Seeing grandchildren can make a visit exciting and memorable. You can do crafts or visit a fun local spot together as a bonding experience.
Find a Balance
If your older parent receives care in your home, it can be hard to get a healthy separation. Find the ideal work-life balance by leaving your work behind you at the end of the day and scheduling time for fun activities. Give yourself a break if you’re a caregiver for your parent. Quality time is essential, but so is self-care and alone time.
Take a Vacation
A vacation is another excellent way to bring the family together. Older adults and kids alike can enjoy a holiday, and the destination can be of your choosing. From sunny beaches to cozy ski resorts, vacations can appeal to various ages and preferences.
Exercise Together
Physical activity is essential for all ages, but especially older adults. If you take time out of your day or week to go for a walk, consider including your parent. You can catch up with each other while staying active. If you attend a yoga class, bring a parent along. Exercise is a great way to stay healthy and bond.
Get Help
Raising a family and caring and spending quality time with aging parents can be difficult. One person can’t give round-the-clock care to children and older adults while managing a home and full-time job. You don’t have to do it all yourself. A home aide or nurse can come and lighten the workload for you when it comes to your aging parent. Alternatively, your parent could spend time or live at an assisted living facility, senior community, or nursing home. You could focus solely on quality time if their needs were met in a senior care community.
If you choose the senior community or nursing home route, you must thoroughly vet each for safety, security, and quality. Many nursing homes are very high quality, but nursing home abuse or neglect can happen at any time, anywhere, to anyone. While there are nursing home abuse cases everywhere, some areas have notable quantities.
Nashville, Tennessee
Southern states are treasured for their warmth and hospitality, making them prime retirement locations for older adults. In a recent survey of 76 nursing homes in the Nashville area, nearly 60% earned ratings of below-average quality. It’s prevalent for older adults and their families to find good quality facilities in this area. In case of any misconduct, contact a Nashville nursing home abuse neglect lawyer immediately.
Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
The federal government has scrutinized Minnesota for hosting less-than-stellar quality nursing homes with unsupervised residents, privacy issues, and building damage. At least eleven facilities are on the government’s radar in this state, and the Twin Cities region of Minneapolis and St. Paul features at least three. Residents here should scrutinize any facility they are considering to ascertain safety.
Tampa, Florida
Florida has one of the largest older adult populations in the country due to its allure as an ideal retirement location. As a result, the need for nursing homes has increased, and quality can drop if corners are cut. In 2023, Tampa alone faced 18 citations for senior care facilities’ inadequacy in providing safe supervision.
Conclusion
In the busiest world, finding time to spend with older parents can be challenging, especially if you’re already a home caregiver for them. You can make time by including them in your already-scheduled activities, such as time with your children, vacations, or exercise. Staying in touch and scheduling time in your calendar can also prioritize quality time. You can also boost your bond by finding a good senior community, but be sure to vet your chosen facility for quality.
Ashley Pugh ;
Ashley Pugh is one of the Co-Founders of Familydaysout.com and has been committed to writing family related content since 2008. There isn't much about family attractions that Ashley doesn't know, after visiting hundreds of them worldwide over the last 20 years.
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