Many seniors can age in place with the help of family members and close friends. Caregivers play an important role because they can make tasks less challenging for their aging loved ones. Continue reading to learn what you can do to help your loved one remain safe and in good health while receiving care at home.
1. Promote Physical Activities
Exercise is necessary because it helps seniors manage their weight and stress levels. You can promote fun physical activities, such as dancing, yoga, tai chi, and swimming. Dedicate time each week to join your loved one when he or she is working out at home. If you make it a joint activity, your loved one may be more inclined to exercise.
If you usually help your loved one exercise but need a break now and then, consider having a professional caregiver take over for you occasionally. For families living in Windermere, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Prestige Home Care Orlando, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
2. Be Compassionate
Seniors may experience many changes over the years, including memory loss, vision impairment, hearing difficulties, and decreased motor function. As a family caregiver, you should be compassionate about these challenges and provide your loved one with reassurance and support. Having a patient, positive mindset enables you to interact with your parent in a way that lets him or her know you’re sympathetic to his or her physical and mental limitations.
3. Prepare Meals
Cooking three meals per day may not be possible for your loved one, especially if he or she is living with vision and mobility impairment. To ensure your loved one receives the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients necessary to stay healthy, prepare his or her meals for the week and refrigerate or freeze them in microwave-safe dishes. This allows your loved one to quickly heat nutritious meals any time of day instead of skipping meals or choosing convenient, unhealthy options.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Prestige Home Care Orlando, a trusted provider of in-home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
4. Help with Basic Household Chores
Cleaning hard-to-reach areas could make some household chores too strenuous for your loved one, which is why you should devote a couple of hours each week to helping with these essential tasks. Keeping the home clean and free of bacteria, mold, and dangerous toxins can reduce the risk of infections and illnesses. Another benefit of a clean environment is that it can soothe your loved one and decrease the odds of aggressive behavior.
5. Provide Companionship
Visiting with your loved one can alleviate boredom and loneliness and lower the chances of depression. Make it a priority to visit your loved one as often as possible throughout the week. Stop by to say hello, take out the garbage, or repair household items. Having companionship could enhance your loved one’s quality of life and increase his or her longevity. If you’re unable to stop by your parent’s home as frequently as you’d like, ask your siblings and other family members to go by and provide the interaction your loved one needs.
6. Keep Medical Information Organized
Phone numbers and other contact information for your parent’s doctors, insurance providers, and therapists should always be accessible. Keeping your loved one’s medical information organized can prevent delayed treatment, and it’s essential during emergencies. The information should be updated frequently and placed where it’s easy to find.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. Altamonte Springs families can rely on Prestige Home Care Orlando to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call Prestige Home Care Orlando at (407) 604-0506 today.