Things you need to know about caring for elderly relatives

In a blink of an eye, our parents have aged and we are caring for elderly relatives. As someone who has been witnessing a rapid decline in my own mum’s health and mobility, I know only too well that it’s a sad fact that for many, with old age comes a reduction in mobility and a frustrating encroachment on independence. So how do we tread on these tricky waters when caring for elderly relatives? Here, Independent Living Expert, Michael Sandland, shares his top tips on helping our loved ones remain independent in their senior years:

Getting out and about for everyday tasks

Whilst internet shopping can put your mind at ease when caring for elderly relatives during the cold and icy winter months, wherever possible it’s best to encourage your loved ones to get out and about. Popping to the shops for a pint of milk, going on the hunt for a family birthday present or dropping into the bank, going to the shops is an important part of staying active.

Completing such tasks can be a challenge for those who struggle with mobility so it can be a good idea to recommend a mobility scooter. These can be a good solution to reduce strain and ensure users get to their destination comfortably. Check out the full range here.

Encourage older people to stay socially connected

As social beings it’s important to stay socially engaged to help avoid isolation, and this rings especially true for those in their advanced years. Building and maintaining relationships is important for mental wellbeing and has also been shown to aid physical wellbeing.

There are some easy ways to encourage older people to stay social. For example, introducing a hobby such as yoga is a sociable way to stay fit or keeping in touch via FaceTime is more interesting than a simple phone call. Attending classes means your loved one will quickly make friends and have a routine social engagement. Alternatively, volunteering in local charity shops can be a great way for relatives to socialise with people from all walks of life.

Consider assisted living

Assisted living can be a good option for elderly parents who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, and taking medication. Assisted living can provide a safe and supportive environment for elderly parents who may be struggling with health or mobility issues. They can receive the assistance they need while still maintaining some level of independence and autonomy.

However, it’s important to carefully research and evaluate assisted living facilities to ensure that they are a good fit for your parents’ needs and preferences. Factors to consider may include the location, amenities, cost, staffing, and level of care provided. It’s also important to involve your parents in the decision-making process and to visit facilities in person to get a sense of the environment and culture.

Embracing innovative solutions

When it comes to caring for elderly relatives, ensuring their independence and well-being becomes a top priority. There are innovative solutions that can further enhance the care provided. Home care software is one such solution that empowers caregivers and enhances the overall care experience. By integrating technology into the caregiving journey, we can better support our elders and ensure they receive the highest quality of care while maintaining their independence.

Staying fit and keeping minds active

Physical and mental agility is crucial to staying independent and there’s lots of ways to keep the mind and body fit as older people age. Whether it’s a daily Sudoku or watching Countdown with your loved ones, all these mind gym activities help to keep the brain sharp. When it comes to exercises to  beat ageing, exercise classes for older people can be found at most town halls or local gyms to stay active.

Be mindful when offering support

Providing assistance for older people comes naturally to carers but it’s important to frame the offer in the right way. Whether it’s helping older people navigate the internet or offering support with physical tasks, there are lots of ways you can make a difference to someone’s life.

However it can be tough for elderly people to accept help after years of independence. When offering assistance avoid dictating and frame the support in a positive way. For example, if you are concerned about an elderly relative driving a car, maybe suggest they invest in a mobility scooter which is road legal. This will ensure they keep their independence and remain safe.

Support your elders in adapting their home

As people grow older their home needs to adapt to ensure it remains safe and accessible. Indeed, one thing you will often hear older people say is that they don’t want to move into a care home and independence can be prolonged with clever technology and living solutions. For example, specialised adjustable beds, jar openers, smart alarms systems and big button telephones can do wonders for keeping people independent in their own home.

On end of life care

If your relative has an illness that cannot be cured, palliative care makes them as comfortable as possible, by managing their pain and other distressing symptoms. It also involves psychological, social and spiritual support for you and your family or carers. You can find out more about palliative care by downloading this guide at https://info.careforfamily.com.au/in-home-palliative-care-guide.

How do you go about supporting them and what do you think about these tips?

55 comments

  1. It’s so important for elderly family members to stay socially involved. Last thing you would want is for them to feel like a burden or unwelcome. Thank you for these tips.

  2. Adapting your home to an elderly family member can be tough at first but it is worth it. Its important that we keep our elderly relatives safe and comfortable wherever they are. This is great post, thanks for sharing!

  3. A personalised care plan can means more dedicated time considering your health. The advantages of home health care are boundless. Recovery time is quicker, pain levels reduced, and most importantly the flexibility to recover at your own pace in familiar surroundings.

  4. Home care services can range from medication reminders and assistance with activities to daily chores, meal prep and grocery shopping.

  5. Great tips! I live with my grandparents at home and I’ve learned a lot from this post. Will definitely share this. Looking forward to more helpful posts.

  6. With in-home care, families that are unable to serve as primary caregivers have the benefit of knowing that their loved ones are receiving professional, compassionate, and personalized care in the convenience of their own homes.

  7. Home care helps you to stay independent by assisting in those areas you need a little bit of help. A care worker may only come to your home to help you get dressed or to take you shopping.

  8. Great advice! It’s so important to treat elderly individuals with respect while still giving them the help they need to complete certain tasks. Thanks for sharing!

  9. One of the most important goals of health care is ensuring that ill, elderly, and disabled patients receive high quality, personal, and compassionate care. Home health care is designed to meet these needs by offering personalized service in the convenience of a patient’s home.

  10. I don’t know to others, but I love my parents so much. I would do with all my strength to take good care of them until the end.

  11. I don’t know to others, but I love my parents so much. I would do with all my strength to take good care of them until the end. They have sacrificed their lives just to raise us for the better.

    • While you’ll notice how comfortable and spacious your home is after an exterior remodel or expansion, you’ll practically be doing backflips at the end of the month. That’s because the numbers on your energy bill will likely be quite a bit lower than they were previously. And as is the case with a golf scorecard, lower numbers are definitely better.

  12. It may have been suggested that you need a care home, because of an accident or an increase in your need for daily support, but it may not necessarily be the right decision. In fact, there may be other options available. Make sure you look into all the options, seek advice, and make the right decision for you.

  13. Home care means that you or your loved one will receive care in the familiar surroundings of your own home. This could be hourly visiting care for a couple of hours a week, or it could be a more intensive level of live-in care, where a carer will be there around the clock.

  14. It may have been suggested that you need a care home, because of an accident or an increase in your need for daily support, but it may not necessarily be the right decision. In fact, there may be other options available. Make sure you look into all the options, seek advice, and make the right decision for you.

  15. The more secure your loved-one feels, the less the likelihood of them becoming confused, aggressive, or agitated. There are simple, little changes you can make to ensure a heightened level of contentment for your loved-one.

    • As I’ve said to others, I don’t want to move my parents on any Home Care services. I like to take care of them by myself. I’m gonna give them all the best they can get till the end. That’s how I want it to be.

  16. Thanks admin for your valuable info.Your ideas and sharing both are simply outstanding.Choosing the best health care for elders are the most vital work in our life.A quality health care techniques need to require some serious brainstorming to determine the best outcome.Your generic concepts are highly appreciated. I found your article more interesting and useful as a tool which could help me to explore new ideas about my relatives health care.

  17. Every senior is waiting for the time that they retire and have the great remaining years of their lives… It is important that they plan ahead of time before they retire. This article will help. 😀

  18. A home maintenance professional, whether in the home itself or in the garden, means that those time consuming “must do” jobs are completed for you, leaving you more time for the better things in life. 

  19. Receiving home health care helps to reduce unavoidable readmissions to the hospital, and studies have shown that patients recuperating from illness, injury, or surgical procedures heal more quickly and more successfully when recovering at home versus in a medical facility.

  20. As the person who cares and so much for my elderly, it’s really important to know these things. As they get old they need that 100 % more care and attention from us. Anyways, great read.

  21. Home care assistance becomes a necessity which enables a family caregiver to spare more time on priorities rather than routine tasks which can be done by a home care specialist trained for that specific job.

  22. I am very happy to read your blog post…! I like your writing skill. You have shared an informative information about elderly care. That’s a great idea. you are so creative. You tips help me and other to take care elder person. If you need to any help for elder person you can get some ideas in my blog: https://mobilitypedia.com/

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