Dr. Tariq Jagnarine
Elders often bring a sense of comfort and joy to the home. These people are the reason why holidays feel special: with the love they provide us and the blessings that they give us. But they also are very feeble due to their age, and require lots of love, attention, and constant care all the time.
Elderly people cannot entirely depend on their younger generation, especially since members of that generation have a life of their own. However, there are numerous other ways to take care of the elderly:
Visit them every now and then
Even if the elderly one has a home care service attending to them, it is important to visit them now and then. Many older people have Alzheimer’s or dementia; therefore, it is imperative to take care of them by allowing them to socialise with loved ones.
Visiting them not only helps with their memory and mental health, but the person visiting them can ascertain whether or not their needs are being taken care of. Check if something needs to be fixed, or if their meals are being prepared healthily.
A person can help them acquire any external help, such as having a private nurse in the bay area.
Check if they are taking
their medicine on time
Elderly people are often kept on medications, which have to be taken on time even when they are stable. These medications are for the benefit of their health, especially for problems that are bound to arise due to old age. Therefore, it is imperative to make sure that their medicines are given on time.
If one does not live with their elders, then one can set alarms for different medications of the day, in order to remind them that their medicine is due.
Revamp their living space
Elders often have special needs, and needs must be taken care of. Some of the things one can do to revamp their place are:
– If they are in a wheelchair, install ramps for moving to elevated places
– Installing grab bars in the bathroom and areas that tend to be slippery
– Adjust lights according to their needs.
– Install a raised toilet seat.
– Install smoke detectors.
– Adding auto-sensor lights would aid them during the night.
– Try keeping the decor of the house minimalist.
– Keep things that they frequently use in lowered areas, instead of high shelves.
Hire help
Understandably, everyone has a life of their own, and people cannot take care of their elderly loved ones all the time. Sometimes some older people need constant monitoring, and their needs need to be met. In such a case, it is essential to hire in-home nursing care. These people are experts in taking care of all the needs of older people. They understand that the elderly need much attention, care and patience, and can provide them with everything professionally.
Do things they love
When one plans to visit their elderly ones, or lives with them already, it is essential to spend time with them doing things they love. Spending time bonding with them is not only important to their health, but also imperative for their cognitive and motor skills. If they are kept busy doing things they love, such as knitting, playing chess, or even watching a football match together, it helps to keep their mental activity healthy, despite their age.
Healthy meals are essential
As time passes, the elderly tend to become weak due to their old age, which is why it becomes essential to provide them with meals that keep them healthy and active.
If the elderly in the house need special care when it comes to their meals according to their requirements, the best thing to do is to hire a home care service, as they know what meals should be given to elders according to their current health status, or learn healthy food choices for everyone.
Keep them active
The elderly often lose their motor skills because they have not been active enough. It becomes a problem as their muscles start getting stiff from inactivity, and then they require aid such as a wheelchair to be moved around. They also gain weight and have issues such as cholesterol and other heart-related diseases. To avoid that from happening, it is essential to help them go out on walks, help them move around, and if they know how to play sports such as golf, make sure that they go to play at least once a week.
Create a Schedule
Elderly people are usually resistant when it comes to change. Therefore, it is important to create a schedule for them so that they can stick to it. This schedule can be related to everyday activities such as their mealtime or shopping, cooking, and cleaning. And the weekly schedule would include their doctor’s appointment and such. One can also hire a caregiver service to assist the elderly when it comes to sticking to such a schedule.
