It can be difficult to watch our loved ones get older. This isn’t necessarily because we associate age with death, but because aging often comes with certain limitations.
For example, as many people get older, they find it more difficult to move about the house and complete the daily functions of everyday life. This can lead to poor hygiene habits, malnourishment, and worse. If your parents are getting older and experiencing some of these issues, you may be at a loss for what to do.
We’re here to help. Keep reading for a quick guide on senior care for important loved ones, like parents and grandparents.
One of the most important things you can do to help your parents is to stay active in their lives. Check up on them a few times a week to multiple times a day. How frequently you check up on them and the specifics of how you do so depends on their condition.
For example, if your loved one struggles to stand up and walk around, you should check on them more frequently. You can check on them by phone or in-person.
Staying active in your elderly parent’s life is about more than senior health care. It also helps you stay more connected to them on an emotional level.
This is important for their emotional and mental health. If they’re living at home by themselves, they’re probably bored and lonely most of the time. Your visits will brighten their day and make them feel loved.
Senior home care can be more successful if your elderly parent or loved one is taking care of their physical health. It’s important for them to get up and move around during the day. This will help them maintain muscle strength, bone strength, and mobility.
For people who suffered from arthritis, sitting around all day can make their condition more painful. If possible, try to get your loved one out of the house for daily walks.
They might also enjoy joining a local fitness center. Here, they have several options, including water aerobics which can be better for people with joint pain or muscle weakness.
Furthermore, if they join a gym, they can exercise with friends or start working with a personal trainer. The trainer can provide carefully designed strength programs as well as a social aspect to your loved one’s workout.
Providing quality senior care for your parent also means helping them take care of their nutrition. The foods we consume directly affect our well-being.
For example, some types of foods increase acid reflux symptoms. These can be incredibly uncomfortable and lead to vomiting.
Additionally, the vitamins and minerals in fresh fruits and vegetables have several benefits. For example:
As some people get older, they tend to take a lazier approach to their diet, eating what’s convenient, rather than what’s good for them. It’s okay to enjoy things like pizza and ice cream every once in a while. However, the better your loved one’s diet is, the healthier they’ll feel.
Unless you quit your job to provide 24/7 senior home care for your parent, you won’t always be around for them. You have your own personal life, a job, and other demands for your time.
As such, you need to invest in an emergency medical alert system that will protect your loved one if they have an accident. For example, some emergency alert systems come in bracelets and pendants.
If your parent falls down or needs help, they can push a button on the device and help will arrive. Some of these devices have automatic alerts if they sense a fall, which can prove vital
Additionally, some devices can be taken out of the house. This is ideal for seniors who are still active. If they fall while grocery shopping or while out for a walk, they’ll still have the means to call for help.
Healthy hygiene habits are important components of senior care, including senior dental care. As people get older, are less active, and find it more difficult to get around, they tend to make less of an effort to take care of their personal hygiene.
While your elderly parent doesn’t necessarily need to shower or bathe every single day, they need to maintain a certain standard of cleanliness. Otherwise, they may be prone to getting infections, falling ill, etc.
Help your parent take care of their hygiene needs. This may mean helping them wash, brush their teeth, and more.
For example, if they are incontinent (have trouble controlling urination and defecation), you may need to help them keep their private areas clean. In some cases, you may need to ensure they’re changing their pads or adult diapers frequently to avoid rashes and infections.
Senior care is far from easy, especially if your parent needs more help than you’re able to give. If you’re having trouble keeping up with their needs and living your own life, it’s okay to hire outside help. You’re not being selfish.
Consider investing in part-time or full-time senior home care services. They can take a lot off your plate and give you peace of mind that your loved one isn’t home alone.
Your parent might have senior care insurance that covers these costs. Otherwise, work with the rest of your family to find a way to afford these services.
Finally, consider the option of moving your parent or loved one into a senior care center. These vary greatly in cost based on your loved one’s needs and limitations.
For example, if your loved one simply needs a little help getting around requires daily checkups, an assisted living facility will be best. However, senior care centers also include skilled nursing homes for people that require medical attention, medications, and more intensive care.
While it may be a difficult transition, if your loved one needs help that you are unable to provide, this will be the best solution for everyone involved.Â
Leaving your own home and entering an aged care home isn’t an easy decision. But it doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. Botany Gardens nursing home is one of the best aged care facilities in Sydney. Committed to providing the highest quality of care, overseeing the home is a professional team of experienced, dedicated and well-trained nursing and care staff that are attentive to your individual and changing needs whilst additionally, are available 24-hours a day.
We know how difficult it can be to watch your parents struggle. Do the best you can to provide them with adequate senior care and remember that you’re not alone.
Talk to other members of your family to help you carry the burden. And if you must, consider moving them into a senior care center or hiring extra help for in-home care.
Before you go, take a look through some of our other articles to find more lifestyle tips and advice. Our blog was created to help people like you find valuable information and make important decisions.
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