Almost half of people over 70 need help with daily activities, with family and friends shouldering most of the burden. With almost 18 million people needing assistance with routine tasks like meal preparation, taking medication, and bathing, the number is expected to rise as time passes.
Collectively, we must strive to improve support and services for seniors, spouses, children, and family caregivers. Offering help prevents caregiver burnout, and walking sticks for seniors improve seniors’ mobility and quality of life—but what kinds of tasks do the elderly struggle with? We’ll get into it below.
Mobility
Movement is crucial at any stage of life, and seniors are no exception. Let the senior in your life age in place by getting them fitted for a mobility chair, wheelchair, walker, or walking stick. Install handrails, ramps, and wider doorways to make it easier to get around the house. Shower chairs, hospital beds, and lifts may make it easier for seniors to get out of bed or stay safe in the bathroom.
Taking Medication
Seniors often take medications to manage, cure, and prevent various conditions, and it all starts with proper medical care. Regular doctor visits, dental check-ups, eye exams, and physical therapy can all help seniors stay healthy while reducing the need for costly medications. If your loved one needs help taking their pills or receiving injections, home health aides or assisted living may be added to their care plan.
Transportation
Access to transportation is a lifesaver for the elderly. If they can’t drive, set up regular rides to physical therapy, doctor’s appointments, and shopping centers. Having an assistant or caretaker visit and go on errands helps seniors stay active, mobile, and social.
Personal Care Activities
Personal care is a crucial need for senior citizens, many of whom need help with grooming, dressing, and bathing. Home health aides and family members can help, as can caretakers in assisted living communities.
Proper Nutrition
Everyone needs nutrition to stay healthy, safe, and happy. If there’s a senior in your life who struggles with food intake, have a caregiver or nutritionist create a meal plan full of foods that fit their dietary preferences, medical needs, and lifestyle. In assisted living communities, seniors enjoy nutritious, tasty meals every day.
Paying Medical Bills
The older a person gets, the more healthcare they need. Seniors must get regular screenings for age-related diseases and conditions, and regular doctor visits can negatively affect their retirement budgets. Family members can help by getting seniors signed up for Medicare or private insurance, which makes healthcare costs a bit more tolerable.
Striking a Balance Between Help and Independence
While helping elderly family members with these and other tasks can seem overwhelming, it’s also rewarding. Senior living communities help families meet their loved ones’ daily needs while giving them a measure of independence. While many people see a move into assisted living as a loss of freedom, the opposite is true. The best communities help families fill care gaps, allowing seniors to focus on the things that matter most.
Welcome to Our Senior Living Community
If you want a resident-focused, high-quality assisted living community for your elderly loved one, the search is over. Our communities specialize in providing the highest level of care to seniors, and our capacity for rehabilitation and assistance allows us to meet every resident’s needs.
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