Has your senior mentioned to you that she wants to age in place? Many seniors do, and with the right planning and preparation, that could very well be a possibility for your elderly family member. The key is often in having the right assistance such as homecare services available when your elderly family member needs it the most.
Get Extra Help Such As Homecare Services For Your Senior
Having additional help is probably something your senior hasn’t considered, but it can make aging in place far more likely. Home care providers can handle specific tasks for your senior, ranging from keeping her home tidy for her to assisting with meal preparation and other tasks. As her needs change even more, elder care services can adjust by increasing the help that they provide. In that way, home care truly ages in place with your elderly family member.
Ask Her to Help You with a Fall Prevention Plan
In order to be as safe as possible, your elderly family member needs to have a plan for preventing falls. Falling is one of the leading causes of serious injury for aging adults and most falls are completely preventable. If your elderly family member works with you on a fall prevention plan, it’s going to be that much easier to convince her to stick with it.
Work on Ways to Keep Her Brain Engaged
Keeping your senior’s brain engaged and healthy is crucial if she’s planning on aging in place. Your aging family member can do this by simply continuing to do activities that she loves. The more that she works her brain, the stronger it can stay. It’s like any other muscle in her body in that way. If she makes her brain exercise fun, she’ll want to stick with it.
Address Diet and Exercise Changes Slowly
It’s possible that your aging family member would benefit from making some changes to her physical activity level as well as her diet. Making those changes quickly can be overwhelming, though, and it can also lead to her giving up before she sees any of the benefits. It’s much better for her to talk to her doctor about what she needs to do and then to take baby steps consistently toward those bigger changes.
Look at Other Possible Needs in the Near Future
What else might your senior need down the road? Perhaps she’s still able to drive now, but you’re anticipating that she’ll need to give up her car in a few years. Talk about those changes now so that they don’t blindside your senior. When you’re able to plan for some of those possible needs, it’s a lot easier to have a transition plan moving toward those goals.
Talk with your senior about what else she thinks might be necessary for her to successfully age in place. Life always brings surprises, but when you and your elderly family member are openly and lovingly talking about what she needs and wants, that can help you both to anticipate as much as you can about what those needs are going to require.
The staff at Home Care Matters is available to talk with you and your family about all of your needs. Home Care Matters is a home care agency providing quality and affordable Homecare in Hoschton, GA, and the surrounding areas.
Call (770) 965.4004 for more information.
We provide home care in Braselton, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Flowery Branch, Gainesville, Johns Creek, Lawrenceville, Oakwood, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Barrow County, Forsyth County, Gwinnett County, Hall County, Jackson County, North Fulton County.
Valerie has the unique experience with home care as she has experienced it from both ends of the spectrum, as a caregiver and as needing care herself as a cancer survivor. Valerie says, “Taking care of someone you love is a physically, mentally and demanding labor of love.Taking care of my mom was the hardest thing I have ever done. It has given me an insight and perspective not many people understand unless you are doing it or have done it.I loved taking care of my mom.I love helping others take care of their love ones too.And now that I’ve been sick, it’s given me a whole new level of empathy and understanding for those who are sick and need help.”
Valerie’s schedule varies daily, but she loves visiting with our clients, families, caregivers, our network partners and being in the office.Says Valerie, “Every day is different, but I wake up excited about what we do, inspired by our team, clients and caregivers.I strive to be a resource to the community.I love my team and I love what we do every day. I like to think my mom would be proud.”
You can reach Valerie by email (Valerie@homecarematters.com) or in our office (770.965.4004).
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