How to Help Senior Relatives as they Get Older

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It can be difficult to assist seniors as they grow older. They may refuse help even if it is in their best interest to accept. However, even as you let them maintain their independence, it is also necessary to help them, sit down with them as you respectfully advise them on suitable living options that help with their well-being. Read on for a list of ways that you can assist your senior relatives as they age:

Take Care of Instrumental Daily Living Activities

Like any of us, seniors have daily activities that need to be handled. The only difference is that they may not have the same energy as they used to, making it more challenging to complete these tasks. Some of these tasks include; grooming, cleaning, cooking, running errands, shopping for household necessities, taking medication, etc.

Aspects such as their surroundings, deteriorating health, and mobility issues can cause them to no longer be able to complete these tasks. Critically look at the problem hindering them from doing these duties effectively and find the best way to support them.

Family members can help greatly with these problems, especially as many of them do not require medical expertise. With a familiar person around the senior, they might not feel as if they are having their privacy invaded. Each family member can get involved in their ability to ensure that the senior’s instrumental activities are not neglected.

Think About Their Living Arrangement

A senior’s living arrangement is one of the things that can cause a major feud between the seniors and the parties involved in deciding their well-being. However, this does not have to spark a huge fight, especially if the senior’s home is within a radius of family members who can attend to them. While some seniors find that the option to move into a senior living community is a good idea, others may not, and that is fine. A compromise could be enlisting the help of a home care agency to give them the help they need whilst maintaining their independence and staying in their own home.

The primary concern will be if they are getting the best care they need while in their homes, especially if they suffer from severe conditions involving memory loss. In such a case, you should not worry even if they decide not to move to a senior living community since they can get the right kind of Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care right from their homes. If you need help navigating this, you can ask a social worker in your local area or senior care agency to help you talk to them about it.

Secure Their Safety

Seniors are susceptible to cybercriminals, home hazards, security risks, etc. Regardless of them not asking for help, it would be necessary to ensure that they stay safe. You can involve your family in helping them contribute to the budget to make some of these safety adjustments, even simple things like a wearable seniors emergency call button can make a world of difference and give the whole family some peace of mind that they’re okay. Other measures might include:

• Adding home assistive devices- Grab bars, a mobility chair, automatic locks, or lights.
• Removing home safety hazards
• Buying medical alert devices- wearable pendants
• Improving their cyber security

Ensure that all safety nets are covered to ensure that the senior is safe at all times, whether you are there to supervise or not.

Offer Financial Aid

Many of us are uncomfortable disclosing our financial situation. Most seniors do not work, meaning that they may require financial assistance. Look at their needs based on their living expenses and offer support to them so they can continue living comfortably.

Most of them will still require guidance to ensure that the funds are used appropriately. In their senior years, you may need to be actively involved in helping them manage their funds and handling their expenses without being taken advantage of.

Get Help Without Leaving Home

If your loved one wants to age at home but still needs help with daily tasks, there are programs that can make that possible, without relying on strangers or moving into a facility. FreedomCare is one such program that allows eligible family members to get paid for caring for their loved ones right in the comfort of their home.

That means your mom, dad, or grandparent can receive daily support from someone they know and trust—you. Whether it’s helping with meals, bathing, medication reminders, or just being there throughout the day, you may be able to get compensated for the care you’re already providing out of love. FreedomCare is Medicaid-funded and available in multiple states, with simple enrollment and no prior certification required in most cases.

This option can take pressure off your family, allow your loved one to maintain independence, and ensure they’re safe and supported as they age, all without the emotional strain of placing them somewhere unfamiliar.

To learn more or check eligibility, visit FreedomCare and explore how they’re helping thousands of families every day.

Encourage Them To Be Active

Everyone needs a support system that helps maintain their social, emotional, and physical well-being. As seniors age, they tend to get more enclosed or isolate themselves from necessary people or activities. Talk to them about the need to join senior groups, church, volunteer groups, activity groups, etc.

A caregiver may not provide all that for them; therefore, it is necessary to push them to pursue their interests. These will ensure that they live a better life, improve their mood, and keep their cognitive functions alert.

It is not ever straightforward to pinpoint the nature of help a senior needs, and it can be hard for them to ask for help. Learn how to assess their needs and know how to help respectfully. 

About the Author

Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

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