The number of older Americans, those 65 and over, is expected to reach 95 million by 2060 according to the Population Reference Bureau. The percentage of the world population of that age group is expected to rise to 23% as well.
Life expectancy has increased in the U.S. too. Reduced mortality rates in older age groups have increased life expectancy to 78 years.
If you have an elderly person in your family you might be wondering what’s the best way to provide senior care. Keep reading to learn some important tips.
It’s Important to Set up Family Bonding Time
Senior citizens can experience loneliness at higher rates. Whether children have moved somewhere else or their spouse has passed away, one part of care is planning some quality time.
Depending on your living situation you can plan to have a weekly lunch date with your elderly parent or family member. You can plan weekly video calls if you live further away. Setting up a monthly day to bring their grandchildren over is another option.
Personal Hygiene Care Is Important
Elderly care also involves helping your parent or family member with their personal hygiene tasks. If your family member needs help bathing, getting dressed, and brushing their teeth, making a plan for how they’ll get this help is essential.
A friend or other family member can set up daily check-ins to help with these tasks. Having some assistance will make a big difference in your family member’s life.
Financial Assistance
Whether this means financially supporting an elder or helping them organize their finances, setting up a system of financial assistance is an important part of taking care of the elderly.
You might create a plan to help your family member pay their monthly bills in case they forget. You can help them create a budget for spending. Making a plan for paying for a retirement home is another thing that you might need to help with.
Help With Home Clean up
If the older adult in your family lives on their own, it’s good to check on them from time to time. They might not move as quickly as they once did.
Taking care of them should also include helping them with their daily chores. Whether they need someone to help them mow the yard once a month, someone to do their grocery shopping, or mop their floor, creating a schedule to help them out is key.
Consider a Senior Home
If your elderly parent is struggling to live on their own and you’re not able to provide them all the care they need, considering a move into an assisted living home might be the best thing you can do for them.
The right assisted living should have great amenities while also providing resources for care that improves physical and mental health. For more information about senior living communities, you can read their resource guides online.
Senior Care Tips You Should Know
Senior care might seem overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be if you follow the tips in the guide above. Make sure you check out some of the other blogs on our site to learn more.
