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I don't think my parents are old, but they do have medical problems that do hinder their getting around well...But, I will continue to help when and where I can...I've had their power bill and phone bill and I already have their cells on my account forwarded to my house, My mom just noticed (it's been 3 months)...But, I like them having extra money so when they are able they can go and do things...
You sound like a really good daughter; they are so lucky to have you!
My only advice, other than integrating them into your family life (out to dinner, lunch, whatever) would be not to make them dependent before it's time.
Your boys are older now ~ take some time for YOU. Before you know it, your parents may actually need lots of care and there will be no more time for you.
But I'll be they will be happier and you will be happier if they are independent for as long as their health allows.
Wow. They are seriously not "old." If you wrote about a couple who were in their late eighties or nineties, I could understand, but sixties?
They should be totally independent and enjoying their lives.
Sorry but not everyone gets that gift. My father was severely wounded in WWII and paid the price with ill health the rest of his life. By his mid-sixties he'd lost much of the use of his hands and legs. (It's happening today. They're called Wounded Warriors.)
OK, Back to the OP: First, bless you for being so concerned. One of the things you might consider is insuring their house is as safe and easy to use as possible. Removing things like scatter rugs. Putting grab bars in the tub/shower. Installing higher seats on the toilet.
There are catalogs and web sites that have items that will help. Handles on doors instead of round knobs which aren't easy to grasp. Covers that can go on keys to make them easier to hold. Special forks and knives that have fat handles and make them easier to hold.
If you are interested this might be a good place to start:
Um, my husband is 63 and our kids are 6 and 7 What kind of help would we need? Maybe running the kids to the music lessons? Preparing for the funerals? We need to see the kids through the school yet
Seriously, - if they don't ask and don't seem to need anything, excessive offerings of help is like a gentle reminder that they are about to expire? They need the opposite, I think, - treated as if they are still alive (which they are): offered fishing, camping, travel, taking college classes, dancing, book club, gardening, whatever.
I was thinking the same thing. My parents are mid-60s and I don't consider them "elderly" or worry about them falling and breaking a hip! I suppose if you don't take care of yourself your entire life, you would run into health issues in your 60s.
Bellieve me you can still "take care of yourself your whole life" and still run into health issues in your 60's. I never did drugs, only smoked for a few years in my 20's, stayed slim and fit, never really drank, worse a seat belt, used sun screen, on and on and at 64 I have bunches of health issues, some caused by genetics and one in particular caused by negligent doctor.
We are 64 and 71 with two adopted kids 8 and 9 and 2 grown kids. DH doesn't take any meds and is in good health but I'm not so well.
We are not elderly and we still can keep up with our kids. Now 80 is elderly but even now it seems a lot of 80 year olds are still independent.
I'll join the chorus of not calling people in their 60s "elderly". 65 is retirement age these days; soon it will be 66 and there is talk of raising it to 70. People who are working full time are not "elderly".
As far as specific health problems, that is a different issue. But please don't frame this as an elderly problem. Falls can be serious. I don't know how you can address this with your dad. You can try to make suggestions for decreasing the possibility that he will fall in the house. Having had a father who took care of my mother after she became disabled at age 64 (he was 72), I'd advise keeping a close eye on things and not believing everything they tell you if they say everything is "OK".
I was thinking the same thing. My parents are mid-60s and I don't consider them "elderly" or worry about them falling and breaking a hip! I suppose if you don't take care of yourself your entire life, you would run into health issues in your 60s.
Sorry, but cancer doesn't know the age, and doesn't care...
I was thinking the same thing. My parents are mid-60s and I don't consider them "elderly" or worry about them falling and breaking a hip! I suppose if you don't take care of yourself your entire life, you would run into health issues in your 60s.
What an ignorant comment. I guess people who get cancer or MS while in their 30s or 40s didn't take care of themselves.
What an ignorant comment. I guess people who get cancer or MS while in their 30s or 40s didn't take care of themselves.
The OP didn't say the parents had cancer. She made it sound like they were just going downhill due to old age. Cancer or MS are obviously very different issues that affect people of all ages. Although how you eat, exercise, and take care of yourself can prevent certain cancers.
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What kind of help would we need? 
Maybe running the kids to the music lessons? 
