The elderly people in your life offer a wealth of knowledge and history, and can help you feel rooted to the past. All too often however, as they begin to age, they may lose some of their ability to manage by themselves. You, as their family can help them stay in their homes and feel more secure. Take a look at the following ideas to see if you can make a difference.
Batten Down the Hatches
The first thing that needs to happen is to ensure that the home is free from tripping hazards. Make sure any cords or wires going to or from appliances, the television, or even from equipment such as an oxygen concentrator run around the perimeter rather than across the floor. Fasten the edges and corners of rugs and runners to eliminate dangers from slipping, especially on the stairs.
Make Passages Safer
Make a clean sweep and clear hallways so that walkers or wheelchairs can pass freely. Stairways should also be kept free of loos items that could trip them. If the stairs themselves are a difficulty and preventing your loved one from moving between floors, stairlifts offer more ability to enjoy their home and safely make the journey up or down the stairs.
Call in the Reserves
Help seniors feel more secure and keep more independence by arranging for regular help. Find services that offer help with bathing, dressing, picking up groceries or medications, cooking meals, laundry and housekeeping, etc. You may need to hire more than one service to handle everything, but you will feel better knowing they are cared for.
Keeping seniors in their own homes may be much less expensive than assisted living as well. At least until that becomes necessary, the tips discussed above can help your elderly loved ones stay happily and safely in their own home.
