Asking for assistance is difficult for most seniors, which is why family caregivers need to be observant and step in as soon as their aging loved ones are unable to perform daily tasks independently. Failing to help a loved one in need could lead to severe accidents and health problems. Once you know your loved one needs assistance, you should use the following tips to make life easier for him or her and your family.
1. Step Up
Some seniors need minimal assistance with errands and household chores, while others need help with medication management, meal prep, mobility, and more. Determine what your loved one requires, and take on as much as you can as a family caregiver. It’s also a good idea to ask your siblings and other family members to step up based on their availability and caregiving skills.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Prestige Home Care Orlando is a leading home care service provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
2. Simplify Daily Activities
Many seniors face difficulty with household chores and daily activities because of cognitive and physical health issues. To address these issues, you can simplify the activities based on your loved one’s strengths and preferences. Changing the instructions and making tasks and games less challenging could help your loved one perform better and boost his or her quality of life.
3. Make Changes to the Home
Small changes can significantly impact your parent’s health and lower the risk of depression and accidents or injuries. For example, rearranging the furniture, adding grab bars in the bathroom, and moving your loved one’s bedroom downstairs could lower the risk of slips and falls and increase his or her independence. Speak with your loved one’s doctor to determine what changes to make and what renovations to avoid.
4. Help Your Parent Relocate
Living in a large home could be too much for a senior, particularly if he or she has visual problems, poor bone health, cognitive decline, or other issues that make it challenging to maintain the property. Moving into your home or downsizing and moving into a smaller place could increase your loved one’s independence and make life less complicated.
5. Use Respite Care
Your parent’s care plan might require more than you and your siblings have the time or skills to take on, and hiring a professional caregiver may be the best solution. With respite care, your loved one is the top priority, and you can gain peace of mind knowing he or she is in good hands while you’re away at work or handling other responsibilities.
Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Orlando respite care experts at Prestige Home Care Orlando are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts.
6. Take Things Slowly
It may be difficult for your parent to admit he or she needs help, and accepting assistance could be even more of a challenge. Therefore, you and your siblings should avoid taking over. Instead, make the transition gradual and look for ways to keep your loved one involved in daily decisions about his or her care. Taking the process slowly could boost your parent’s mental health and reduce the odds he or she will refuse help from you or others.
Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional elder care Windermere seniors can trust and rely on. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Prestige Home Care Orlando. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call (407) 604-0506 today.