Medical and non-medical care, while provided by public and private institutions, can be provided at home as well. Family care is the most visible and most common type of care for seniors. Taking care of others, while rewarding, is a great challenge and can only be accomplished through teamwork and recognizing that one person alone cannot handle all the tasks that will arise.
Here are 7 tips on how to better care for seniors at home.
1. Assess the needs
Before you do anything else, you need to assess and list the needs of the senior you’re caring for, such as: house cleaning, dietary requirements, medical appointments, and transportation,,.. Once the needs have been established, each family member should develop a realistic action plan outlining if and how they can contribute to the senior’s needs. Finally, assess what other resources are available to help with caring for your senior. Finding the right means and people to accomplish the process will facilitate its success.
2. Make family agreements
It is essential to make family agreements when a member of your family becomes a dependent or simply needs more help with their daily activities. It is important to discuss expectations, possibilities, and responsibilities openly in a family meeting to strengthen family ties. It may be helpful to consult a professional if you need help reaching these agreements. A positive and constructive family dynamic will help you adjust and grow.
3. Recruit a good team of professionals
It is common for older adults to suffer from various conditions and illnesses . Therefore, it is best to consult a geriatrician who can help guide the family's treatment and care. Additionally, you may hire a home care service to assist your senior with daily tasks such as taking medications, mental exercises, and personal hygiene. Personalized nursing and homecare services will help you better control your family member's health status if you require advanced medical care.
4. Prepare a security plan
Accidents can be prevented by considering some risk factors. The living space of your senior family member should be free from obstacles, such as loose rugs, and flimsy tables to prevent them from tripping and falling. The bathroom, for example, should also be improved with grab bars and non-slip mats. Good lighting and open spaces will facilitate good air flow circulation, as well. You should also consider providing your family member with identification that they can carry all day if they leave the house.
5 . Help Them Stay Physically and Cognitively Active
. Encourage your family members to continue living an active and healthy lifestyle with a simple daily walk, hobbies or activities at home. Memory declines with age, so we must help them stimulate their minds with riddles, word searches, crossword puzzles, among others. These activities can help prevent immobility and memory disorders.
6. Keep them socially connected
Socializing with family members and close friends is important for seniors. It will allow them to establish new interests, goals, and lifestyles in order to live a satisfying and fulfilling life. Phone calls, emails, or social media can help keep them in touch with family and friends. Consider setting your senior up on Facebook if they aren’t already. The site allows members to see pictures of their children and grandchildren, direct message family members, and post their own photos.
7. Provide them with affection and attention
Putting love into action is the most important thing you can do. Even though they may not be able to meet their own material needs at the moment, the quality time you spend with them will be rewarding for you both. Small gestures like making their favorite meals, providing them with transportation, and giving them a hug will demonstrate the affection and love you have for them, help create treasured memories and also, as an added perk, be beneficial for your mental health as well. We all need to feel loved and cared for no matter what stage of life we are at.
At ActivePro Nursing & Homecare Inc. we have experienced caregivers and home nurses who are willing and able to provide you with the best and most specialized care, adapted to your needs, in the Toronto and Niagara regions. You and your loved ones can count on us!
Active Pro: The well-being of our older adults is our top priority!