How to Take Care of an Elderly Person
One of the most rewarding things you can do in life is to care for an elderly person. There are so many ways to care for an elderly person. The most important thing is that the person stays comfortable, happy and active. This post will explore some of the ways you can take care of an elderly person. You may have concerns about nursing home neglect, but for the most part, the staff in the care industry and phenomenal and love looking after the residents.
Keep Him Active
Ensure the elderly person exercises on a regular basis. Regular exercise protects elderly people from chronic illnesses and reduces their functional age by 15 to 20 years. Health experts recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least four times a week. The exercises could involve a wide range of activities, such as swimming, biking, walking and running. The elderly who do more intense exercises should not exceed 20 minutes per day. Consider care centres like Assured Assisted Living that give seniors lots of options for activities and social interaction.
Make Him Comfortable
Your loved one should be comfortable and happy. Get him a comfortable chair and bed, and massage him on a regular basis. For comfortable chairs and other accessories, we recommend you select Aged Care Store. Apart from a comfortable chair, you need to make some structural adjustments to the house where your loved one stays. You need to install antiscald devices for faucets and showers to protect your loved one from skin damage. Carbon monoxide detector may also be necessary because older people are more sensitive to low concentrations of this deadly gas.
Get Help With Care and Living Arrangements
Understandably your loved one might not want to move out of their home, even if they are frail and struggle on their own with day-to-day living. If this is the case, then you always have the option of supporting them by hiring help from respected home health care agencies in philadelphia pa (or nearer where you live). Home health care will allow professionals to take care of your loved one from the comfort of their own home, leaving you safe in the knowledge they are happy and comfortable, whilst you can go about your life normally without the need to worry about being there to look after them 24/7.
Visit Regularly
If you live far away from your loved one, or if they are residing in assisted living danvers ma (or assisted living near you) you need to make sure you visit him frequently. A few hours together make him feel loved and appreciated. It also gives you the chance to determine whether he is safe and in the best physical and mental health condition. Also, when you visit, keep an eye on any changes, however subtle they might be. Are there unopened emails? Is the lawn mowed? Does your loved one have bruises indicating he might have fallen?
Check His Mental and Physical Health
Check your loved one regularly to determine whether he has any physical or mental health problems. Watch for any signs of weakness, poor coordination, and lack of direction. Look for possible signs of depression such as lack of interest, anger, deep feelings, and sadness. If you notice anything out of the norm, contact a doctor immediately. If their health condition often requires medical support, you want to hire a nurse or caretaker who can provide the necessary aid while you are away from them. While in the case of poor mental health, you may want to shift them to senior living communities (visit chelseaseniorliving.com/locations/new-jersey/belvidere/ for more info) where they would have old age people around to make them comfortable and happy.
Help Him With Driving
Due to old age and reduced cognitive function, the elderly are more likely to make mistakes when driving. If you think your loved one experiences a lot of difficulties while on the steering wheel, drive him. The idea of driving can create a lot of anger for some older people. So be careful and approach the topic in a more conservative way. If your loved one insists on driving himself, then encourage him to enroll in complementary driving classes for the elderly. There are also tools he can use to help him drive safely. Additionally, if driving becomes too challenging or unsafe, consider alternative options to maintain their independence. One such option could be to buy a mobility scooter, which can provide them with a safe and convenient way to get around for short distances. Mobility scooters are easy to use and can be a great solution for those who find driving a car too demanding but still want to stay active and mobile.
Overall, the health and comfort of an elderly person depends on how well you take care of him or her. Make sure your loved one is comfortable, healthy and active. Visit him, talk to him regularly and help him drive.