3 Ways to Help an Aging Loved One Remain Independent at Home
For many, with aging, comes some common challenges. Luckily, if a senior wants to remain independent, there are options. Here are 3 ways to support your aging loved one who wants to remain in the comfort of their own home.
According to a recent study, performed by AARP, 3 out of 4 people, aged 50 and older, would prefer to age in place versus other alternatives. If your aging loved one would like to remain independent in the comfort of their own home, there are many ways to support them in this goal. In fact, even if you cannot take on the role of family caregiver there are still things you can do to provide support.
Here are 3 ways to help an aging loved one remain independent at home.
Encourage Physical, Mental, and Emotional Health
One of the best ways to help an aging loved one remain independent in the comfort of their own home is by encouraging them to be healthy. This includes physical, mental, and emotional health. Because good health is so important to aging in place, encouragement should be on the top of your list.
Here are a few tips to help a senior loved one remain healthy:
- Help them shop for groceries and make healthy meals (creating pre-made nutritious meals is great).
- Set a positive example by working out and eating healthy with your senior loved one.
- Present healthy nutrition, exercise, and social engagement as exciting opportunities.
- Be supportive, patient, and optimistic.
- Provide them with a safe, non-judgmental, communication stream.
- Be compassionate
Help Pre-Plan Care
It is never too early to begin the conversation about senior care and understand your loved one's preferences when it comes to it. Some of the first steps to pre-planning senior care include creating general planning documents, identifying services designed for independent seniors, if needed; evaluating resources available for family caregivers in your local area, and understanding the costs of care options.
It is important to note; having the conversation about senior care and pre-planning should be done when your loved one is ready to have the conversation or when care is absolutely needed.
Here are some tips for having the conversation about senior care.
Consider In-Home Care Services
Partnering with an in-home care service, such as Comfort Keepers®, to provide home-based support for your aging loved one, is a great option if they wish to remain independent. Many in-home care agencies provide trained caregivers that can provide services to your senior loved one based on their unique situation and needs.
Here are just a few of the in-home services we offer at Comfort Keepers of Logansport, IN:
- Companion care
- Personal care; such as hygiene, toileting, and bathing
- Transportation
- Respite care (support for family caregivers)
- Alzheimer's and Dementia care
- Post-hospital care
- Safety products
Be the Support System that Your Senior Loved One Needs
Just being available and providing words of encouragement can help a senior overcome obstacles and take the steps they need to accomplish to remain in the comfort of home. Help your loved one by encouraging good health, having a conversation about care, pre-plan when your loved one is ready, and considering in-home care services to provide additional, professional support.
