Elders bring a sense of joy and comfort to our lives. Due to their presence, a house made of bricks turns into a place we call home. They make holidays and birthdays feel special due to their blessings.
However, as we progress through life, we often neglect our elders, sometimes overlooking their mental and physical health, which changes when they pass the age of 50.
The natural aging phenomenon is often accelerated by surrounding social aspects, such as retirement, lack of social interactions, and isolation. All these factors make our elderly feel weaker and need more care, attention, and love.
Older adults cannot entirely depend on the younger ones around them as it gives them the feeling of being a liability. While aging cannot be prevented, we must ensure our elders are cared for.
Don’t know where to start? Here are seven superb tips for elderly care, from emotional support to physical health.
- CHECK MEDICATIONS
Not all elderly patients are on medications, but the ones who are, ensuring timely doses becomes a crucial part of their care. As a caretaker for elderly individuals, you must stay updated on their prescriptions, dosages, and timing of medication.
Missing one dose can delay the healing journey and lead to a slow recovery. Ensure that the elderly under your care have an adequate supply of their medication. The easiest way to ensure an uninterrupted medicine supply for those on life-long medications is through a long-term care pharmacy.
Why? LTCPs provide patients with time-appropriate access to medicines at their homes or nursing homes. If your loved ones are on a combination drug regimen, buying them a pill organizer with labeled compartments, mentioning days and weeks, as well as AM and PM doses, is best.
Alongside compliance, be vigilant about the potential side effects and interactions whenever a new medication is prescribed.
- MODIFY THE HOME SPACE
With age, the risk of fractures and injuries is higher due to osteoporosis and other health changes in an individual’s body. Before mapping out a plan for your elderly’s care, looking around the house and assessing potential safety hazards is best.
You may be surprised to find how a chipped-off staircase or unsupported chair can pose a significant risk. Here are some modifications you may make to turn the house into a senior-friendly living space;
- Installing a raised toilet
- Installing handrails and grab bars at the shower and toilet
- Ensure no loose wires and cables are tucked away safely to prevent potential falls.
- Removing small rugs with raised edges and installing non-skid mats in the shower and bathtub.
- Removing extra clutter or furniture with sharp protruding edges.
The ultimate goal should be to create a space that does not hinder their privacy and comfort. Slight modifications can benefit primarily in preventing accidents and injuries.
- VISIT THEM OFTEN
If you have moved out or live in another part of the city, you can still check up on your elderly and ensure they are well cared for. In this part of life, after crossing their 50s, older adults often need emotional security and reassurance.
Frequent visits will reassure you about their condition and provide your elders with a sense of safety and a feeling of being loved. During your visit, you can check their prescriptions, food supplies, and daily routine.
- KEEP THEM ACTIVE
The best way to keep your elderly healthy physically and mentally is by keeping them active. Where old age brings various health issues, depression is worse.
Being physically active helps to fight against many heart conditions, walking disabilities, preventing falls, and keeping the mind fresh. The best way to ensure that they stay engaged and consistent is by making sure they have company.
Start by scheduling walks with them or getting a gym membership together. Physical activity could be in any form, whether it is weight lifting, walking, or high-intensity cardio. It helps keep motor skills intact, muscles flexible and mobile, and maintains weight.
- HEALTHY MEAL PLAN
Elderly individuals may not have the ability or desire to cook themselves a healthy, well-balanced meal. The essential tip while caring for your elderly is to provide them with nutritious and tasteful meals. As their body ages, it requires more nutrients, including minerals, vitamins, high fiber, and antioxidants.
If your schedule doesn’t allow you to cook food regularly, you may prepare meals in advance and refrigerate them. If this is not an option, consider getting weekly/monthly subscriptions to deliver healthy meals at scheduled times.
Regardless of your choice, remember that healthy food is fundamental to maintaining a healthy body and, therefore, must be prioritized.
- CREATE A SCHEDULE
Getting out of routine makes everyone lazy, from kids to elders. However, having no routine is particularly depressing and slugging for older individuals. In old age, people are more resistant to change.
This is one of the many reasons elders find retirement more discouraging and tend to self-isolate. Therefore, they need to have a schedule and stick to it to have something to look forward to in their day.
You can start by making them a day-to-day plan and move on to a weekly one. It can be related to everyday chores, from shopping to cooking or cleaning. It may also incorporate their doctor’s appointments or bill payments and taxes.
- USE TECHNOLOGY
In today’s world, technology is a savior in almost all fields and aspects of life. So why not use it to ensure the safety of your loved ones and elderly?
Here are some ways technology can come in handy and make you efficient in care-taking.
- Installing cameras for safety purposes and convenience.
- Motion sensors to keep a watch over older adults when you are away. It will give you information on how much they are moving and where they are headed in case of any obstructions.
CONCLUSION
Aging is a natural part of the human journey. Often older individuals find it hard to navigate through this part of life due to health challenges and lack of support. Irrespective of your chosen ways of caring for your elders, you can make this half of their life comfortable and peaceful with small acts of compassion, respect, and gratitude.
By implementing the tips above, you can create a nurturing environment that fosters the well-being of the elderly and enhance their quality of life.
Nevertheless, these are only a few ways to care for seniors and vulnerable individuals, as every gesture made with love and compassion will make a meaningful difference in their lives.
