It might not be easy, but a physical and mental decline in our elderly parents is predictable. After all, aging is inevitable.
Yet, it doesn’t mean we know exactly how to act when our parents get older and rely on us.
The better aware we are of the impacts of aging on them, the easier it will be to find suitable options for them as seniors and, to us, adult children with a carer role.
If you want to learn more about elder care, you’re in the right place. Here are some tips to be a better carer.
Ensure They’re Doing Their ADLs
ADLs (term used by health workers, meaning Activities of Daily Living) are crucial to their mental well-being. Also, to give them a sense of autonomy and dignity.
Some basic ADLs include self-feeding, personal hygiene (including brushing their own hair), dressing, and functional mobility.
If they have physical limitations or health issues that make these activities challenging or even impossible to do independently, they must get adequate help.
The kind of help varies according to the individual need.
Providing care, hiring elder home care services, purchasing proper equipment or accessories, and perhaps even making adjustments in the house to enable them to do everyday tasks independently must be considered to improve seniors’ lives.
Make Lists of Key Tasks
There are so many tasks to get it sorted when it comes to elder care that it’s best to make a list.
Keep a list of the things that need to get done (e.g., bills payments, laundry, social events schedule, when to pick up prescription refills) and share it when someone can help.
Here’s a tip: you can create a spreadsheet on google docs with all these tasks and enable others to edit too, so when it’s done, you’ll know.
You can also print the list and hand it to your senior relative to keep track of their own needs. When something is sorted, they can cross it out.
Consider All Elderly Care Options
Even when we have all the knowledge for taking the best care, sometimes, we’re not good at it.
If there’s a place for elderly care near you and your parent strongly relies on others, then you must discuss whether this might be a suitable option.
An elderly care home provides ”home-style” services 24 hours a day. It’s always supervised, and the staff helps senior residents to get that much-needed support with personal care.
However, an elderly care facility is not a suitable option for everyone.
Home care services for elderly might be enough to provide your senior relative the support they need, continuing to live in a familiar environment.
Usually, home care is more satisfactory for seniors, as they can live with more dignity, comfort, independence, and personalized attention from health professionals (unlike nursing homes or elderly care facilities).
Get Informed About Health Benefits
If based in Ontario, your senior relative is entitled to health benefits, such as healthcare coverage under OHIP, contact with health care experts (when required), access to personalized medical devices, housing assistance, and more.
Ensure you’re aware of all these senior benefits to help your relative in the best way possible (both financially and physically).
Elder Care Is Personal
The ”ideal” care varies according to the elder. Factors such as their mental and physical health play a crucial role in making suitable decisions.
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