When you have an elderly loved one, you feel obligated to take care of them and ensure they have the most comfortable life. You may feel so worried at times, especially when you stay away from them. Older people need a lot of care since they can’t take care of themselves. Some even have chronic conditions that limit them from doing anything and are fully dependent on others. Below are some of the tips on how to take care of them.
1. Visit Them Often
If you live away from your elderly loved one, it’s important to visit them often and check how they are. During these visits, you’ll ask how they are doing and check whether anything needs to be addressed. Also, by visiting them, you help them interact socially, which is good for their overall well-being.
2. Take Them to An Assisted Living Facility
Taking your loved one to an elderly assisted living facility is another option to ensure they are safe and living comfortably. Many people prefer this option to getting a personal caregiver since it gives their elderly ones a chance to interact with other people, reducing feelings of loneliness and depression. In these facilities, older adults are taken care of by professional and compassionate caregivers. Additionally, the caregivers in these facilities ensure that they take healthy meals their prescribed medications and engage in safe physical activities to keep fit.
3. Ensure Their Health Is in Check
Many older people suffer from various health problems. If yours has a certain condition, make sure they attend all the doctor’s appointments and take all their medication as prescribed. Also, ensure that they do safe exercises to stay fit. And don’t just focus on their physical health; ensure that they are well mentally by looking for signs of stress, depression, and other mental health issues. If you notice any, take them to a therapist.
4. Ensure They Eat Healthily
Older people need to eat good food to remain healthy and energetic. Ensure that you stock enough food for them. If they live alone, you can help prepare meals in advance since sometimes they may not desire to cook. If they have health conditions such as diabetes, make sure they follow the doctor’s advice on diet.
5. Hire A Personal Caregiver
You can hire a personal caregiver if your loved one cannot do basic tasks like cooking and taking care of themselves. Also, there are other situations that can make you hire a caregiver. For example, some older people may start living with fear due to the risk of getting injured when their health deteriorates. A health professional can also advise you to get someone to care for them due to certain medical conditions. Also, if you notice signs of self-isolation or loneliness, hiring someone to stay with them can be the best option.
6. Do Some Modifications In Their Home
Check around the home of your loved one and see whether there are some household hazards you need to take care of. You may also identify some areas that need some modifications to make your loved one’s life easier. These may include:
- Installing wheelchair or walker ramps
- Installing bright lights for better visibility
- Ensuring that cables and cords are tucked away safely to prevent falls and injuries
- Installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Installing grab bars and handrails in the bathrooms
Taking care of your loved ones ensures that they are safe, happy, and healthy. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that those you love are spending their old age comfortably. You can decide to take care of them fully if you are in a position to, or get help by hiring someone to take care of them at home or out of home.