Can You Help Your Elderly Loved One Stay Independent?
Independence is the key to many elderly adults. No matter what is going on in their lives, they want to stay independent for a long time.
This means being able to stay taking care of themselves and most of all, stay living in their own home. However, as people age, they need more help than they used to. They need assistance with meal preparations, transportation, medical needs, and more. However, just because more help is needed, that doesn’t mean that your elderly loved one can’t stay independent.
Homecare in Wilmette IL: Stay Independent
Routines are Number One for Independence
Those who are aging need to stick to a routine. As they age, it is more likely that they are going to forget things. Memory loss is a problem for many elderly adults. However, routines are helpful in keeping your loved one in tune with what is going on. They are less likely to forget what needs to be done if they do the same things every single day. If your elderly loved one doesn’t have a routine, help them to create one and stick to it.
Proper Clothing Can Be Helpful
Another key to staying independent for elderly adults is being able to get dressed on their own. Many elderly adults suffer from chronic pain. This makes it tough for them to get themselves dressed. However, if you buy them loose-fitting clothing, they can more easily pull the clothes on by themselves. They might still need a little help from you or their elderly care providers.
Make Some Modifications to Activities They Do
Just because one activity seems to be getting more difficult for your elderly loved one, that doesn’t mean they can’t do it any longer. You just might need to make some modifications to the activities that your loved one does. For example, if they used to do all their laundry on their own, but now can’t seem to put the laundry away, just have them fold the laundry. This way they are still helping and feeling independent.
Hire Elderly Care Providers
If you don’t already have elderly care providers helping out in your loved one’s home, it might be time to bring them in to assist your loved one. At some point, your loved one might come to a standstill. There might be many things they can’t do on their own, yet they still want to keep living in their own homes. Elderly care providers can help with these things and help to keep your loved one independent.
These are some of the ways you can help your elderly loved one stay independent. If you have to care for your elderly loved one, don’t be afraid to follow along with these tips. Your loved one might need some help, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still be independent.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Homecare in Wilmette, IL, call the caring staff at LifeCare Home Health & In-Home Services. Call (888) 606-4199 LifeCare serves all of the Chicago Metro Area.
Sources
- How Does Physical Therapy Help Prevent Senior Falls? - May 12, 2023
- Types of Home Health Care Nursing Services - May 4, 2023
- Detecting Early Signs of Alzheimer’s with Alzheimer’s Care - April 28, 2023