Caring for ageing parents

press release - Prague - 20 August 2019

You may be experiencing this yourself. Caring for aging parents, who often live in another city, is extremely challenging physically and mentally in today's hectic times. After all, this is a topic that more and more people are contacting the Senior Citizens Line 800 200 007, operated by Elpida.

Czech society is ageing. Every day 165 people retire in our country. The average life expectancy is rising, and in some countries it could exceed 90 years by 2030. In the Czech Republic, a third of the population will be over 65 in 2050, with the group of people in their eighties growing the most.

Isolation and loneliness are the most common problems of Czech seniors. This is proven not only by the data from the last census, which showed that there are 65,000 single-person households of seniors in the Czech Republic, but also by data from the Senior Citizen Line 800 200 007, run by the Elpida organisation. The topic of loneliness occupies the first place in the call statistics every year. In the first six months, 1,424 people have contacted the helpline.

Ageing is a natural part of life that sooner or later affects all family members. What does long-term care entail? What to prepare for? What can you still manage on your own, and what can you leave to others? And how to care for yourself?

If parents run out of strength or fall ill

As age reduces mental and physical strength, older people tend to stay safe andcomfort at home, but this leads to a loss of social contact and an even greater fixation on family members. In addition, if an older person becomes ill, long-term care is inevitable.

To begin with, it is a good idea to find out whether the loved one is able to look after him or herself

Geriatrics works with several scales to determine which activities of daily living the person is still able to manage on their own. Examples of activities of daily living that are related to self-care include hygiene, dressing, moving around the home, coming and going to work, andIf a parent has difficulty performing these tasks, help should be considered. It is an honest look at the areas in which the parent needs support that is the first step in the right care setting. To get an honest view, it is a good idea to spend some time with your loved one. Sunday afternoon coffee is not enough. The ideal is to stay overnight and observe. How does he manage evening hygiene? How does he eat, what's in the fridge, the pantry, the dresser?

If your parent gets sick.

Make sure you have a good understanding of the diagnosis - ask doctors about prognosis, options for supportive treatment, rehabilitation or reducing the level of pain. After a period of time, ask for a follow-up examination. If you feel that you are not working well with your doctor, don't be afraid to change him or her. Form a team together with the goal of good care. Share partial successes.

When we can't manage care alone

It's important to remember that you don't have to do everything yourself. Moreover, not everyone's work and personal life allows them to take their elderly parents into their home or care for them on a daily basis. Don't dismiss others' ideas, even if they seem out of the ordinary. For example, you can work in collaboration with siblings, your own children. More distant relatives or friends who are willing to help can also be a welcome support.

There are also social and health service organisations that can help with the basics so that your loved one can stay at home if they cannot manage on their own. There may come a time when it will be better for everyone if your loved one goes to a nursing home or hospice for visits. Don't blame yourself for not managing care yourself.

The necessary changes come with financial implications

When you are caring for a loved one, you may benefit from a financial contribution from the government. Most often, this is called a 'personal allowance'. This can be applied for after a minimum of seven days' hospitalisation (beware, you can apply foryou will need a doctor's statement before you leave hospital) and a care allowance. You should also bear in mind that your parents will need help with budgeting, paying bills etc., so it is a good idea to agree who will take over the financial arrangements for your parents.

We're not superheroes

Everyone needs to feel that they are respected. Offer help and support, but don't force it. If a task cannot be done right now, consider whether it is necessary to do it now, even at the cost of losing your peace of mind. Do not let difficulties in daily functioning or unrealistic expectations of others and yourself spoil your time together. The time spent together and the joy shared will one day be the most precious memories.

The best source of information about what your loved one really needs is yourself. Notice when he or she is happy. Ask what form of help is acceptable and relieving. Even so, the sick person may not appreciate your care. There will be days when you are grateful and happy that you have chosen to care and days when you feel angry or regretful and despairing. Long-term care is physically and mentally demanding, and you are likely to feel exhausted. It's important to remember that despite all our wishes, we are not superheroes, we are human. If things don't go as expected, don't beat yourself up. It's normal to feel anger, resentment and despair. At such times it is helpful to seek support or professional help.

Being supportive of someone else is very challenging. So think about your own needs when planning your care. Allow yourself to take turns, allow yourself to get professional help. Share your experience with people who also care or have cared. Take inspiration from others: what helped them? In what ways was the experience valuable to them? Self-help groups for carers, as well as literature or films, can be a support.

Be patient with the person you care for. But also to yourself.

The Senior Citizens Helpline 800 200 007 has prepared a ' Carer's Ten Commandments' which can serve as a first guide to what to do, where to look for more detailed information and what to look out for. You can simply download the Ten Commandments HERE and perhaps put them in a book or diary, or place them on your fridge so that you can always be aware that you are not alone in caring for your loved one.

Whatever challenges you face in caring for a loved one, the Senior Helpline 800 200 007 is available 365 days a year from 8am to 8pm. It is anonymous and free. Seniors and caregivers can find the phone number on all SIM cards and payphones of O2, for example, which has been supporting the Line for ten years.

How the Czech Republic is ageing in numbers

- In 2015, there were two million seniors in the Czech Republic, i.e. people over 65 years of age; by 2050, there will be three million, and seniors will make up a third of society. The 85+ group will see the fastest growth.

- While around 2030 the elderly will make up a quarter of the population in almost half of the regions, by 2050 the share of the population over 65 will be close to one third in many regions. The largest shares of seniors will be in the Zlín Region and the Vysočina Region. The average age of the population in the Zlín Region is expected to exceed 50 years.

- Over the last ten years, the senior group has grown by half a million.

Media contactLadaBrůnová ~ lada.brunova@elpida.cz ~ +420 739 659 456

Elpida means hope in Greek. But it is also the name of an organization that helps seniors become a confident and respected part of society. In the spirit of the Old's Cool motto, Elpida is changing the way people look at old age - it runs the Elpida Educational and Cultural Centre for seniors fromPrague and the Senior Crisis Line, founded the brand Socks from Grandma, publishes the magazine VITAL, and organises the intergenerational Old's Cool festival. In short, she is trying to make Czech seniors lead a full & happy life.