Thirty million baby boomers are caring for their aging parents—often their widowed or single Moms—often from far away. This can be extraordinarily stressful for all involved. 

This Mother’s Day, give your Mom the best gift of all—caring.

Adult children sometimes cannot come to terms with how their mothers are aging, so they ignore some of the positive, proactive steps they can take to make their moms’ lives better.
 
Here are 10 “gift ideas” to help make mom’s life better this Mother’s Day: 



1. Commit to spending routine, scheduled, quality time with your mom. 
No matter how far away your mother is, visiting her on a regular basis, as well as making regular phone calls, will help you ‘be there’ for her, and monitor how she is doing in her daily activities. When you are with her, try to find activities that she enjoys and do them together regularly, along with other family members. 
 


2. See your mom the way she is now. 
Try to see your mother as she is in the present and not how she was in the past or how you would like her to be. Take the time to see how she is adapting to the practical, emotional, and financial challenges of aging and possibly living alone. By focusing on the present, and seeing clearly, you’ll have a better grasp on how you and your family can tangibly be of help.



3. Help your mom stay connected to others. 
Encourage her ‘social connectivity’—volunteerism and community activities, as well as the use of technology. Use e-mail, cell phones, Webcams, and senior-friendly digital technology to stay part of her life on a frequent basis—it really is easier to stay connected in a wireless world. Your mother might appreciate your Tweets more than anyone else on earth. 



4. Encourage physical mobility and exercise. 
Help mom find age-appropriate exercise classes, books, and videos to help her maintain her physical mobility and bone strength. Movement makes the aging process easier—Tai chi is wonderful for improving balance, and weight training strengthens muscles. 
 


5. Rally the troops around your mom. Bring your extended family together for mom on a regular basis. In between, suggest that all of her children take turns calling her on a separate day of the week to check in. Let your mother know that you all care, and share the family caregiving responsibilities, difficulties, and joys. 


6. Focus on your mom’s basic home safety and fall prevention.
 
Helping your parents stay safe