Families have to take good care of their loved ones who are older than 65 years old or slightly younger but dealing with certain health conditions. The aging adult might be a parent, grandparent, spouse, or extended family member.
Family members have to provide personalized assistance and emotional support that their aging loved ones need to thrive. However, many family members have tight schedules, which makes it difficult to care for the elderly. This post will explain how families can support their aging loved ones despite having other commitments.
Make Long-term Plans
Families must know the kind of assistance their loved one needs and a senior home that best environment for them. If the family members cannot keep up with care at home, they should consider taking their loved one to a senior community that provides guidance and care for seniors. However, it is not always easy to plan for long-term care.
Although needs may change from time to time, families must plan their finances to avoid mistakes that could compromise long-term care. Talking to the loved one can offer some insights into what they need or expect.
A doctor can help families understand the health needs of their loved one and the level of assistance they may require. Can the senior stay at home alone with occasional help? Is it better to bring a senior to a senior facility or move in with other younger family members? The answer to these questions determines the path to take.
Provide the Appropriate Type of Care
Generally, seniors require different types of support to live a comfortable life in their golden years. Some need assistance when bathing, dressing, grooming, or performing other personal care tasks. If a family cannot offer personal care, they can get a home health aide to help the senior.
Some seniors may not do laundry, clean their home or do yard work on their own. Others cannot prepare their food. So they need someone to shop and prepare healthy meals. A caring family can choose to cook and have the meals delivered to their loved one, but this can be expensive and inconvenient.
Some seniors have medical needs that need to be catered to. For instance, they may need help to take medication on time or go to doctor’s appointments. It is advisable to have pillboxes for everyday pills and note the appointment days.
Senior communities can help families avoid these struggles and meet the needs of their aging parents. They have trained staff and systems in place to ensure residents are comfortable and happy without burdening their family members.
Improve Home Safety
Safety should be a priority, whether an elderly loved one lives in their home or with their family. So what steps can seniors take to minimize the risk of falling and improve safety? They can start by removing throw rugs. They should then install safety rails on bathtubs, showers, or near toilets. Placing non-slip strips on tile or hardwood floors can also help.
One should not forget to cover the stairs with a carpet or non-slip strips. Seniors should also declutter their homes to reduce the chances of falling and create wide paths. Nightlights are also needed throughout the home, especially on the staircases and outdoors. However, a senior community provides safe housing with all the amenities seniors need to thrive.
While it may not be easy to care for the elderly, families should never neglect them. This will ensure they live a happier life in their golden years. Families can also consider independent or assisted living communities where their loved ones have access to everything they need to live fulfilling lives.