Our "Senior" Empty Nesters! > Taking care of our Elderly Parent(s)

How to Help Parents Without Offending Them?

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Layla:
My dad is pretty much recovered from his knee surgery, but I would like to continue helping out him and my mom more. Since I've been spending more time around them lately, I've noticed that they struggle with certain chores and tasks around the house.


Thing is, my dad will never ask for help, and I'm afraid if I offer, he'll think that I think he can't keep up anymore. I just want to make life easier on him. How can I help them with chores without my poor dad getting offended?

CountryMom:
Maybe you can just do them while he's not looking? By the time he comes around to do the dishes, they've already been done! The trash already taken out, and the floor swept. Would he still be offended by that?

SeniorLady:

Well it's been a while since I checked in here and this is one of the topics that caught my eye!

Speaking as one of the 'older' ones around here.....just be there. If  you go to see them often, just tell them you're going to be around most of the day so what do they need doing that you can help with? Or if you know of something they have been wanting to get done, just offer to help. You might be surprised when they accept.


I think there is a difference when you just go see them a lot and 'offer' to help out here and there then making them feel like they are getting 'to old' to do a lot of things, especially if it is something that they like to do.


I think it's nice of you to want to help out and as long as you are 'offering' and not 'telling' them they are 'to old' to do this or that  it will go a long way. :) Good luck!


P.S.....Couldn't resist the dancing daisy avatar, just wish I could move like that!  :rofl:

haidyl:
SeniorLady, your avatar caught my eye really fast and I almost tried those moves on my own. I agree with you that doing these chores without necessarily shouting about it, will work. Parents love to see their kids around and nothing is as encouraging as seeing them going out of their way to help!

Layla:
SeniorLady, I love your little dancing daisy!

Thank you for the advice, ladies! I'll try that this weekend when I go visit them again. My dad's knee surgery has definitely gotten me to visit more often, and I can tell they enjoy that. :)

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