Taking Care of Mum - A Guide to Helping Her Stay Healthy and Happy
Mums are often the cornerstone of a family. They’ve likely spent years, if not decades, nurturing and taking care of their children and loved ones. But as they age, the roles can reverse, and it becomes time to ensure your mum is cared for as well as she cared for you.
Looking after your mother’s health and well-being goes beyond ensuring she eats well or sees the doctor. It also includes focusing on her emotional and physical needs, from maintaining personal grooming to engaging in activities that keep her mind and body active.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to take care of your mother in different aspects of her personal life, including her grooming habits, dental care, fitness, and relaxation. These are important parts of her daily routine that contribute significantly to her overall quality of life. Let’s explore how to help your mum stay healthy, confident, and happy.
1. Helping Your Mum Maintain Personal Grooming
As your mother grows older, she might face some challenges in managing her regular personal grooming. Helping her maintain these routines not only boosts her self-esteem but also promotes her mental health. Personal grooming covers several aspects of her day-to-day life, including hair care, skincare, and other self-care activities.
Hair Care
Your mum has likely spent years tending to her appearance, and her hair is no exception. Whether she enjoys regular salon visits or prefers to style her hair at home, helping her maintain her hair routine can be a way to lift her spirits. Regularly booking hair appointments for trims, cuts, colouring, or simply for a blow-dry can give her a fresh look and make her feel more like herself.
If mobility is an issue, consider finding a mobile hairdresser who can come to your mum’s home. Mobile salons offer services such as haircuts, colouring, and treatments in the comfort of her own space, making it more accessible and convenient for her to stay looking and feeling her best.
Skincare and Nails
Skin naturally changes with age, so your mum might need help choosing skincare products that meet her needs. Encourage her to switch to gentler, hydrating products that nourish ageing skin. You can even make a day out of it by setting up a little at-home spa treatment for her, complete with a facial and some pampering hand and nail care.
Regular manicures and pedicures are also a lovely way to help your mum feel great, especially if she enjoys a bit of extra care for her hands and feet. If getting to a salon is difficult, mobile nail services are another option to explore.
2. Dental Care and Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is essential at every age, and as people grow older, they may encounter more dental issues. Ensuring your mum receives regular dental care can help prevent more serious problems like gum disease, tooth loss, or infections that could affect her overall health.
Routine Check-ups
Organise regular dental check-ups for your mum, ideally every six months. Many dentists offer services tailored to older patients, ensuring they receive the appropriate care for their age and specific dental needs. If getting to the dentist is difficult for her, mobile dental services are available in some parts of Australia, allowing dental professionals to visit her at home to carry out cleanings, examinations, and even minor dental work.
Daily Dental Habits
Aside from professional dental care, help your mum establish or maintain good daily dental habits. Simple reminders about brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash can go a long way in preserving her oral health. Consider looking into electric toothbrushes or other oral hygiene aids if she has any difficulties using traditional dental tools. These devices can make the daily routine more efficient and comfortable for her.
3. Encouraging Fitness: Yoga and Low-Impact Exercises
Staying physically active is critical for overall health, especially for ageing individuals. Engaging in regular exercise helps maintain strength, flexibility, and balance, all of which contribute to reducing the risk of falls and injuries. Introducing your mum to low-impact fitness options, like yoga or gentle walking, can enhance her quality of life without putting too much strain on her body.
Yoga Classes
Yoga is one of the best activities for older adults as it improves flexibility, balance, and mental well-being. Whether your mum is already familiar with yoga or is entirely new to it, finding a class that suits her ability level is key. There are many beginner-friendly yoga sessions available, often designed specifically for seniors. These classes focus on gentle movements and poses, sometimes even using chairs for extra support, making it easier and safer for older participants to join in.
If your mum doesn’t feel comfortable attending a class in person, online yoga courses are a fantastic alternative. She can follow along at her own pace from the comfort of home, and you can even join her for some quality bonding time while you both stretch and relax together.
Walking
Encouraging your mum to walk regularly is another simple but effective way to keep her active. Walking is an excellent way to strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular health, and boost mental well-being. It’s a low-impact exercise that can be done almost anywhere, and it also provides a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature.
Joining her on walks can make the experience even more enjoyable. Whether it’s a stroll through the local park or along the beach, walking together is not only good for her physical health but also for your relationship.
4. Mental Health and Relaxation: Helping Your Mum Unwind
In addition to physical health, mental and emotional well-being are just as crucial as your mum gets older. Finding activities that help her relax and unwind can go a long way in improving her mood and quality of life.
Mindfulness and Meditation
Encouraging your mum to practice mindfulness or meditation can help her stay mentally sharp while also reducing stress and anxiety. Simple breathing exercises, guided meditations, or even short mindfulness sessions can make a big difference in helping her relax and feel centred.
You can introduce her to meditation apps or mindfulness podcasts that cater to beginners. These tools can guide her through simple relaxation techniques that she can do on her own, or you can join her for a shared experience of relaxation.
Hobby Classes
If your mum enjoys hobbies like painting, knitting, or crafting, encouraging her to pursue these activities can be beneficial for her mental health. Taking a class or simply dedicating time to her favourite pastimes will help her stay mentally engaged while offering her a sense of accomplishment and joy.
Some local community centres in Australia offer craft classes or hobby groups specifically for older adults. These classes not only provide a space to learn new skills but also foster social connections, helping your mum build a support network of friends with similar interests.
5. Don’t Forget the Importance of Socialising
As people age, social connections become increasingly important for mental health and happiness. Helping your mum stay connected with friends and family is vital to preventing loneliness and ensuring she enjoys her days to the fullest.
Family Gatherings
Plan regular family catch-ups, even if it’s just for a cup of tea or a casual lunch. These moments of togetherness will not only brighten her day but also strengthen the bonds between your mum and the rest of the family.
Community Involvement
Encouraging your mum to participate in community activities or local clubs can be a great way for her to make new friends and engage with like-minded people. Many communities in Australia offer seniors’ groups or clubs that cater specifically to older adults, organising activities like card games, book clubs, and social outings.
Conclusion
Taking care of your mum as she ages involves more than just ensuring she eats well and stays healthy. By paying attention to her personal grooming, dental care, fitness, mental well-being, and social life, you can help her maintain a high quality of life that will leave her feeling happy and confident.
Remember, small gestures of care and attention can make a big difference. Whether it’s booking a hair appointment, walking with her in the park, or simply spending time together, these acts of love will mean the world to her.
