Taking care of the elderly at home is the first step in any senior’s long-term care plan. Apart from helping you save money and ensure the elderly remain comfortable at home, they will always enjoy the close interaction of their family members compared to when they are in facility-based care.
A recent survey shows most elderly citizens who need senior care will prefer to receive it right from the comfort of their homes. In this article, you’ll learn some vital tips that will ensure you take care of your adults in a better way.
- Get Cloths Easy to Change and Launder
To help alleviate the chances of accidents and make incontinence care easier, it is appropriate that you update the elderly wardrobe. Clothes that are a bit complex to put on and remove can easily lead to accidents when the elderly use them. Others are difficult to clean after use.
For instance, pants having elastic waistbands are easier and faster to pull down than those with a regular zip fly. Elastic waistband pants will ensure the elderly get to the toilet with much ease and avoid any form of accident. Managing elastic waistband pants is much easier, especially when helping dress or undress the old.
If you’re traveling with the elderly, they should wear an adult pull up. Adult pull-ups are of great importance as they help deal with incontinence issues. They can also soak up fluid discharge, very easy on the skin as they are made from breathable fabric and are very easy to wear and take off.
2. Schedule Regular Doctor Visits
Up to 60% of the elderly are diagnosed with chronic illnesses. Some of the population diseases include asthma, bronchial, gout, diabetes, or hypertension. The study reveals the susceptibility of seniors to diseases. They will always need proper care.
You should organize regular doctor visits for the elderly even when they do not have any illnesses. You have to take the elderly for health screening tests. You will not only ensure their well-being but also offer them the confidence to live.
3. Offering Emotional Support
Caring for the elderly stress is essential. You are not only helping the elderly because of being weak. Giving the old emotional support will provide them with a sense of belonging. Always praise and motivate them for their presence.
4. Ensure You Keep Things on Reach
Whether it is food ingredients or remote control, ensure that you always keep everything on their reach. Anything that the elderly may want should not be far away. You also have to ensure that there is enough space for them to move freely. Remove any foot mats or obstacles that can trip them as they move around.
5. Help Manage Their Finances
You must help the elderly look after their finances. Some of the things you need to look after include: estate planning, retirement planning, expenditure, savings, pensions, medical expenses, medical insurance, and other investments.
Ensure you keep a close eye on scams. Older people with less knowledge about technology always fall victim to people who steal personal details through the internet. Take some of your time and try educating the elderly about good ATM practices and healthy wealth management. It is also a great idea to teach the old about the efficient use of credit and debit cards.
6. Seek Help from Professionals
For various reasons, there is a possibility a caregiver may not be in a position to provide incontinence care either in a home setting or on their own. In such a case, you should consider hiring a professional in-home caregiver to assist with personal toileting and hygiene.
You also can move the elderly to a caring community where they will get professional care.
7. Ensure They Have Healthy Meals
The elderly will not be in a position to cook for themselves. It is necessary to prepare meals and feed them adequately. One way you can help ensure a healthy lifestyle for the elderly is by cooking healthy meals. If possible, always prepare meals in advance for them. Avoid using lots of spices when preparing meals for the elderly since they are not healthy for them.
8. Take Them to Recreational Activities
Most seniors lock themselves in their rooms, resting all day, making their lives less interesting and increasing their stress levels. Just because the elderly cannot perform several recreational activities does not mean having fun.
Take the elderly to parks to interact with other people. Engaging in various daily activities enables the elderly to enjoy their lives, enhancing their well-being.
Conclusion
It is vital to ensure the elderly enjoy a healthy and happy life throughout their golden years. There are times you can get tired when looking after them, but giving up is never an option. Try to avoid expressing your feelings when bored or tired. Instead, you can always seek help from a certified elderly community center.