As the years go by, you have probably found yourself helping elderly relatives more and more.
Whether it’s driving them to appointments or helping them with their shopping, your loved ones will require more help as they get older. It can be difficult to accept the gradual role reversal between you and your relative. However, aging is a natural process, and your loved one will appreciate any help you can offer them. Here are four great ways you can help your elderly relatives.
Safeguard Their Living Space
Many people prefer to age in their own homes for as long as possible. Unfortunately, as people get older, their mobility skills and cognition can get worse. In turn, they become more prone to accidents. In the United States, the leading cause of injury for senior citizens is trips and falls, and it is actually the primary cause of accidental death in people over the age of 65. To protect your relatives from harm, safeguard their living space for them. You can help prevent trips and falls by checking their living space for hazards and removing potential risks in the home. This can include loose carpet, broken floorboards, and cluttered walkways. Replacing broken light bulbs and installing safety rails in the bathroom can also help them stay safe.
Get Them Professional Help at Home
However much you try, it can be difficult helping your loved one stay safe when you are not with them. If your elderly relative needs help with some of their everyday activities, they may benefit from private nursing care services. These services are performed by private duty registered nurses who are trained to offer basic home nursing care to older adults. These services include medication management, general health support, palliative care, and patient advocacy. With these in-home services, your loved one can enjoy a high quality of life while still living at home.
Encourage Them to Be More Social
Studies suggest that loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes per day, and many older adults experience social isolation as they age. From their own loved ones passing on to losing touch with old friends, senior citizens may find it more difficult to socialize than when they were younger. Besides visiting often, you can help them ward off loneliness by encouraging them to participate in social activities. Help your loved one be more social by researching local clubs in the area. Alternatively, they can try volunteering their time for a charitable cause.
Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle can improve your family member’s overall health and wellbeing. Regular exercise can help your loved one stay limber in old age, and it can improve their balance and strength—which can help reduce the risk of falls. Physical activity can also help them maintain a healthy body weight, stop certain diseases from arising and relieve stress. In addition to this, a nutritional diet filled with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, dairy, protein, and fiber can also help them stay healthy for longer.
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