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What does the Bible teach about aging parents?
My father is 82, and my mother 78. Their health is starting to decline. The problem is that they do not want to have home health care, or anyone in the house as far as that goes. They want no mention of an assisted living arrangement, and they do not want to come and live with me and my spouse. I have no idea about their finances, living conditions, personal hygiene and healthcare issues.
Please tell me where to open my Bible to find the answers...
Most Bible verses talk about honoring your parents and that children are to care for elderly parents.
Most often there is a fine point between taking good care of your parents and allowing them to have the freedom of living as they want. It's not always easy to know if their thinking capacity is in tact.
Some people say,
"Feel free to care for yourselves as long as the doctor gives his consent. It is important for me to know that you are getting enough nutrition to stay as healthy as you can."
However, if they are in sound mind there isn't much you can make them do.
An elderly neighbor (94) finally agreed to move to another state to live with her son. Everything was packed and moved and she had a fatal heart attack the next day.
You can't make elderly parents talk, eat, sleep or think the same way you do. But keep talking to them anyway. Have family conferences so every one concerned is in the loop. My brother, sister and I connect with email about Mom. She thinks it's sweet that we email each other and it makes us feel better to keep informed.
There are support groups for those in charge of elderly parents in many communities. It's a great place for resources.
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