Getting old is something that happens to everyone - or at least to those who are lucky to keep going. But a long life does not necessarily equate to a good life and for many people old age is a very tough time plagued with financial and health issues. It should, of course, be a time to relax and enjoy your investments and your family, to see the world and suck the final marrow out of life. For this utopian version of old age to become a reality there is a certain amount of planning that needs to take place, and often it falls to responsible children to ensure that their parent’s retirement is all that they want and need it to be. With this in mind, here are some simple pointers to help you ensure that your parents are able to make the most of their dotage.

Accommodation

Finding a suitable place for your parents to stay is probably the first step of the process. It is often a transition that needs to be managed as they may be uncomfortable or unwilling to leave the place that they have called home for many years. But if the place they have lived in is too big for them it becomes maintenance and a security risk. Encourage them to sell up and find something smaller. A retirement home, a smaller cottage or even a place of their own on your property are all good options. You might be wary of having them come to stay with you but there are many advantages to this – not least of all the fact that they can build a great relationship with your children and be on-site as free babysitters if needed. Have a look online to see who where you can get granny flats for sale Victoria has several kit home suppliers that you could call on.

Finances

This is an important conversation to have as if finances are limited then it will fall to the children to help cover the costs. You don’t need to go into the specifics, but you do need to make sure that they are budgeting properly and that they have enough available to be comfortable. One of the biggest issues with modern society is that people are living to be very old. This means that pensions that are designed to last until a person is 80 or 85 are suddenly having to be stretched to last them to 100. This can be very tricky.

Keeping active

The elderly need to be encouraged to stay mobile and active for as long as possible. A physically robust older person is typically mentally healthier as well. As much fun as sitting in front of the television with a crossword puzzle can be, walking and being active is far better for overall higher quality of life. So, if you notice that your parents are becoming too sedentary then encourage them to get up and get out. Help them find some hobbies and interest groups. Some parents have less mobility than others but don’t worry there are many walking aids like wheelchairs or mobility scooters that can help your parents get out of house and enjoy a beautiful day added mobility scooter shop located in Perth.