The ideal caregiver for an elderly person at home is a trusted family member. These family members provide a wide range of services that assist the elderly with their daily activities. Some of the most common areas for help include adapting the home, medication management, transportation, meals, and more. Find out how to find the best caregiver for your loved. Here are some tips:
Your home can be adaptable
There are a number of ways to adapt your home for the elderly living at home. An occupational therapist is able to help you identify the areas that need to be changed and determine how much money to finance it. Hand rails and ramps are great for people with mobility issues, and outdoor lights are helpful at night. But, ensure they aren't in the way of neighbors.
Medication management
Seniors living at home need more care in managing their medication. Senior adults often forget which medication they need and may be unable to remember how many medications they should take. This confusion can lead to missed doses, or even the end of treatment. Seniors may also take multiple medications for different conditions. Many people are aware of the dangers associated with taking more than one dose of a common medication. However, seniors often forget that they should take their medicine at least twice daily.
Transportation
Providing transportation for the elderly living at home can be a challenging job. Many times, family caregivers can't leave their job every day to assist a loved one to get to and from appointments. There are many options for transportation that can be used to lessen the burden of caregivers and help seniors stay connected. There are many transportation options available, and each region offers different options. However, there are often special transit options and discounts. Here are some ways to find and use other transportation options for elderly residents at home.
Meals
Meals for seniors living at home can be provided at no cost, or on a sliding-fee basis. No senior will be turned down for lack of funds. Seniors may, however, be asked to contribute to the meal's cost. These services are in high demand in many parts of the country. This often leads to long wait lists and sometimes even turning away seniors. You can make a difference and avoid becoming another statistic.
Activities
There are many activities that seniors can do at home. Many of these activities can be doubled as physical activities. Making a cake, making cookies or even making bread can require hand dexterity and are social activities. Making popcorn, coloring Easter eggs or fresh garden salads are some other ideas. These activities can be enjoyable and fulfilling for the elderly. However, there are some who don't like being with other people or being alone.