If your parents have entered the advancing years, their ability to care for themselves might have changed. If that's the case, it's time for you to step in and lend support. To do that effectively, you need to know where you can be of assistance. Now that your parents are in need of extra help, here are four steps you should take. 

Understand Their Needs

If your parents are no longer able to provide for all of their own care, the first thing you need to do is assess their needs. Assessing their needs will allow you to offer them the right type of assistance. There may be some areas where your parents are still able to provide for their own care. Before you seek elder care for your aging parents, make a note of the areas where they seem to be struggling. If possible, ask your parents for their input as well. They may be able to let you know where they need the most help. 

Go Over Their Finances

If your elderly parents are finding it difficult to care for all of their own needs, now's the time to go over their finances. As your parents age, they'll be more susceptible to elder abuse, which can include financial abuse, as well as other forms of abuse. The best way to prevent this from happening is to be there as an extra set of eyes to monitor your parents' finances. Not only that, as your parents age, maintaining their own financial records might become difficult for them. Familiarizing yourself with their records right now will help you to step in when the need arises. 

Assess Your Abilities

If you're concerned about your elderly parents, and it's time to intervene, take the time to assess your own abilities. Caring for elderly parents often requires a full-time commitment. Personal responsibilities, and other issues, can make it impossible to provide full-time care for aging parents. Before you make the commitment to become a full-time caregiver to your elderly parents, make sure you have the ability to do so. 

Consider Options

If your parents have reached the stage in their lives where they require additional assistance, but you're unable to provide that care, it's time to consider other options. Two of those options include nursing homes and assisted living facilities. These types of facilities can provide your parents with the elder care they need. 

For more information about elder care, contact a local facility, like The Carousel Adult Day Care.