Your senior may have some very distinct ideas about what she wants to happen in the near and even distant future. One of her biggest goals may be to stay in her own home for as long as she possibly can. This is called aging in place and it’s a lot easier when you approach the project with safety and comfort in mind. Home care assistance can provide the needed help to accomplish this.
Consider Home Modifications
Your elderly family member’s home is where she wants to stay, but is it safe for her to be there as her health changes? There may be a variety of different changes that need to be made to increase her safety at home. Changes may be necessary in order to keep your senior safe such as:
- Installing grab bars
- Adding shower seats
- Changing toilet height
- Adding a stair lift
- Improving flooring
- Widening doors
Weigh the possible changes against what your senior is willing to do.
Embrace Technology
Technology is constantly changing and it can help your elderly family member more than she might think possible. Home alarm systems have built-in features that make her home more secure, but that also can connect her with help when she needs it. Devices with built-in fall detection can ensure that she has help even if your senior isn’t able to call for that help herself. Smart thermostats and lights allow your senior to control lighting and temperature without having to get up.
Look Ahead to Potential Issues
As your senior’s family caregiver you need to become adept at predicting what might potentially become a problem down the line. Health changes might mean that your senior has more trouble driving, for instance, so you need to have a plan in place for assisting with transportation concerns. You don’t have to be perfect with your predictions. It’s more about trying to anticipate what might become important.
Consider Home Care Assistance Early
One of the best ways to get better at anticipating your senior’s needs is to hire home care assistance early on. Working with care providers helps you to understand your senior’s needs better. It also gives you the additional help and the time away that you need in order to recharge yourself and to come back to caregiving refreshed.
Your elderly family member may very well be able to meet her goal of aging in place. She’ll have a far better shot if you’re there with her, working toward the same goal.