“Parents aren’t the people you come from. They’re the people you want to be, when you grow up. ” With age when our parents grow old, it becomes quite natural to see a behavioral change in them. We have two extremes to deal with, one our children who are still growing up and the other- our parents who become like children. The process of growing up is never ending; it is us who have to understand the needs of our old parents. So, here are a few effective ways of dealing with parents:

1. Be Sensitive

Old parents need a lot of care and concern; one must try and understand their needs, instead of simply shrugging them off. One needs to be very sensitive to their needs.

2. Be a careful listener

Parents at an old age do not communicate much; they rather expect us to understand what they want. Being a careful listener doesn’t always mean to listen to audible things, it also means to listen and notice things which are never spoken of.

3. Always keep in touch

If you are out of station or if you have gone out for work, don’t forget to ring them up at least once, all they need is that 2 minutes of you over the phone.

4. Try and meet them in person

Instead of asking your kids or spouse to ask them about their needs, try and meet them in person, this is more than enough for them. A physical hug is always priceless

5. Tantrums are there, so what?

Even your kids have tantrums too, but you deal with them. Your parents might have a few of them too, deal with them politely

6. Find out community centers for old people:

It is quite obvious that your parents would want to make friends, community centers are the best place to make friends of similar age groups, and they can also have a few recreational activities there.

7. Taking your parents out for events

A musical night or a standup comedy show? Ask them and take them out, this will definitely kill their boredom

8. Teach them about the latest technologies

Teaching you parents about latest technologies will mitigate the hindrance of communication, they will not feel restricted before communicating with you.

9. If possible take them with you to your office

Your father is retired banker or your mother is a retired teacher, why let them stay at home, take them to the office, they will surely participate.

10. Give them their requirements at home

Lastly, make sure that you give them their basic requirements at home, home is where the heart is, if they want a separate room for their prayers, yoga, reading-give them, old people love seclusion, let your home be the best place for them.