How to Help a Senior Stay Independent

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If you’ve noticed changes in your elderly loved one’s health that indicate the need for assistance around the house, he or she may be resisting help for fear of losing independence. However, aging and autonomy aren’t mutually exclusive. There are ways you can help your loved one age in place and live a happy and comfortable life, and these tips are designed to help with this goal. 

 

Make the Home Safer

Getting rid of hazards throughout the home is a vital step in helping your loved one remain independent. Walk through the house and take a look at it from a neutral point of view. Even if the layout seems ergonomic, extra clutter and wires can still be dangerous. It’s also important to add handrails anywhere your loved one might be unsteady, such as in stairways and bathrooms. 

Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading home care service agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.

 

Prevent Isolation

Isolated seniors might be in danger of changes in their physical and psychological health. One way to prevent your loved one from becoming isolated is to set up weekly meetings with family and friends. Those who are closest to your loved one can pick a day to call or stop by for a visit and ensure your parent is doing well while living independently. 

 

Research Delivery Services

One of the biggest challenges for seniors who are living alone is getting out of the house to run errands. However, the need to drive around town has greatly diminished in recent years due to the growth of delivery services. In addition to companies that deliver groceries and medication, there are now drivers who will carry out practically any errand imaginable, ranging from paying bills to picking up clothes from the laundromat. You might also want to see if a close friend or family member can run errands for your loved one once or twice a week, or you can also hire a professional caregiver to help. 

Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional home care Potomac seniors can trust and rely on. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

 

Hire a Professional Caregiver

No matter how much planning you’ve done, there may still come a time when you need help from a professional caregiver. Even short visits just a few times a week can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is eating well and interacting with someone. These professionals can help with basic chores and run errands for your loved one, and they can also provide respite when you need time to focus on these things in your own life. 

Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Potomac, MD, Assisting Hands Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Call us today to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.