We worry about our elderly loved ones. And we worry for one simple reason. We love them. Our parents and grandparents helped to make us who we are today. For those of us who still live with our elderly loved ones, primarily because they require our care, we should feel fortunate to have them remain so close to us. However, for most of us who care for seniors, there are many challenges to overcome.
Caring for seniors isn’t easy. It is both physically and emotionally taxing. With that said, it’s important to find ways to help seniors to live independently. This doesn’t just take a great deal of responsibility off of your shoulders – it helps to make them happier. Never forget that elderly individuals – especially those with physical disabilities – endure as much emotional difficulties as they do physical.
What can you do to help your elderly loved ones live more independently?
Safeguard your home.
It may be a cliché, but it will always remain true: safety first. For most seniors, safety is an issue. And because of that, they regularly live in fear. Seniors who are fearful to do things on their own are a lot less likely to live independently. When you ensure the safety of the various rooms of your home, you give your elderly loved ones greater confidence that they won’t get hurt performing everyday tasks such as preparing food or using the bathroom.
On HuffingtonPost.com, Dr. Geeta Nayyar encourages caregivers to “recognize when and where common needs or hazards may arise in key areas like the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Some common and basic changes include: Installing bathroom rails to help support them when they walk through the house and avoid unexpected slips and falls, lowering shelves in the pantry so they can easily access items, adding more lighting and removing floor hazards.”
Provide reminders for them to maintain their health.
Unfortunately, for most people, living as an elderly person and taking medication go hand in hand. The problem, however, is that many seniors forget to take their prescribed medications. Naturally, this can be detrimental to one’s health, especially if he/she has a serious medical issue. On AgingCare.com, Stacy Waxman suggests that you invest in a medication dispensing system.
“Sometimes the only real barrier to senior citizens maintaining their independence is simply a difficulty remembering to take their various medications,” she writes, “Medication dispensing systems are automated assistants that have been stocked by caregivers or loved ones with several days’ worth of medication at a time.”
Find appropriate mobility solutions.
Physical limitations such as a loss of mobility often come with old age. One of the top reasons that seniors are often fearful to do certain things on their own is because they don’t have the strength or balance to do so. It’s important, of course, to locate ideal mobility solutions to help them to get around safely and independently.
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we are very proud of our long list of mobility solutions that include walkers, wheelchairs, rollators and scooters. We also offer a number of bathroom and bedroom modifications such as grab bars, transfer benches and bed rails. To learn more, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
