12 Super Practical Tips [Caring for The Elderly At Home]

If your elderly folks are residing in their own home, they might need specific assistance to maintain their independence, be safe, eat well and make the most of their retirement days. Here are some practical tips on caring for elderly at home especially those living on their own.

1. Reduce the risk of falls by removing some potential hazards such as items left on the floor, poor lighting, displaced furniture, and so on. If the person is on a wheelchair make sure that they have a proper wheelchair ramp they can use to get in and out of their home.

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2. There are special exercises for seniors that are very beneficial to them. Regular workouts can keep the joints supple and stop falls. Only ten minutes of light activities per day can go a long way. Yoga and Tai Chi are also recommended for older adults that want to stay in shape and maintain good physical, emotional, and mental health.

3. The bathroom needs to have a grab rail so that they have something to hold on after they take a shower or have trouble getting up from the toilet.

4. The house temperature needs to be constant with no fluctuation to extremes. Seniors are more sensitive to temperature variations than others. To that end, make sure that all the thermostats are working correctly.

5. Remove every small rug that can be found in the house. The thing with small rugs is that they can easily slide under a person's feet. If an older person slips, then that translates into misplaced shoulders, broken hips or broken bones. Once the damage has been done, the rehabilitation period can be quite lengthy and constant care might be needed.

6. Frequently used objects should always be kept at a short distance. That way the older adult doesn't need to use chairs or to climb onto things to reach them. Again, one wrong step and things can go bad in a second.

7. Organize their medications. That way they know what they need to take and when.

8. If they can’t get to a store, make sure that they are well supplied with all the provisions they need.

9. Install smoke detectors.

10. Encourage them to make friends with people of their age group. Seniors seek a company more than anything else. Small things like talking to someone, a game of cards, or a simple walk with someone can go a long way and make them feel much better. Loneliness is a big issue for seniors, especially if they have lost their spouse.

11. Visit them as much as possible and encourage family members, relatives and friends to do so. This is similar to the recommendation above, but that’s because socialization matters a lot.

12. Check if there is a volunteer senior companion program in the area where they live. If nothing else, from time to time, they can check them if they are doing well and if they need something.

Adapting a home to be more suited to older adults is not that hard. The most difficult part is to organize their social life and making sure that they are not lonely. That way the burden of old age becomes more bearable to the elderly, and you won't have to worry as much about them.