Life comes in many unique stages. From childhood to adulthood to our elderly years, we all take different paths in life. The elderly stage is among the most interesting. Medical issues continue to abound to those higher up in age. They may need more care than someone younger. It is important that our senior citizen loved ones have a high quality of life. Being a caregiver comes with a great deal of responsibility, especially if you’re caring for your parent.
Luckily, there are a number of helpful tips and advice for those of us who are caring for aging loved ones. Here are some options that you should consider!
Comfort
When you are caring for aging loved ones, you will want to make sure that their average everyday life is as comforting and pain-free as possible. There are a number of different things that you can do to make your loved one feel comfortable and safe in their lives. A good night’s sleep is one of the most essential keys to a healthy life. The health benefits of good sleep are great for anyone, but especially those who are aging.
One of the most important factors to quality sleep is the mattress. Mattresses break down over time, so you may need to replace it. A poor mattress can result in severe back and neck pain for your loved one. When you are buying a mattress, you will want to make sure you find one that will best suit their needs.
Their mattress should be as comfortable as possible in order to support their unique health conditions. Joint aches and back pain are common occurrences among the elderly. Having a comfortable place to sleep will help ease some of their pain. When you are looking for a new mattress for your loved one, you should first perform a great deal of research. Look into the different kinds of mattresses and what kinds of features they may have. Some mattresses are built to help with back pain. The person can have their own comfort setting for their bed. These features can aid tremendously in your loved one’s health needs.
Home health care
When you are caring for aging loved ones, there are many different duties that are thrust upon you. One of these responsibilities is to help them with their healthcare. Getting them to and from doctor’s appointments can present a tricky situation. For someone working full time, they may not be able to adapt their schedule for their loved one. There are, however, several avenues that they can take.
One such option is a home health aide for your loved one. Home based healthcare can be a great resource for the elderly. Traveling to and from doctor’s appointments can be a large undertaking for anyone, but it is especially true for those who are aging. A home healthcare worker can help your loved one meet their basic health needs and more.
Home healthcare aides can also provide their patients with some much-needed companionship. Many of those in the senior population often lament the lack of human contact. Their healthcare aide is not just there to do their job. They can also provide some conversation and friendship to the patient. For someone who likely does not get many visitors, this can have a profound effect on their mental well-being. Mental health is equally as important as physical health for all of us.
While many of these aides will simply make a visit to the patient, some will live with them. An in home caregiver will live with patients who may need even more specialized care. When you are caring for aging loved ones, you will have many important decisions to make. If they need round the clock care, in home caregiving may be the route to take.
Mental health
When caring for aging loved ones, we often only think of their physical health. Mental health, however, cannot be ignored. The elderly population can feel a tremendous strain on their mental health. These people often have to face their own mortality. That can be a jarring experience for them. There are, however, numerous mental health resources available.
Depression is a condition that affects numerous people all over. In fact, it is estimated that over 350,000,000 people are affected by depression in some form or another. Many assume that those who are older have a happy-go-lucky attitude. They do not have the stresses of life, like working and raising a family. Many believe that since they have moved past those parts of their life, they are stress-free. Depression and mental problems can affect anyone, the elderly included. When you are caring for aging loved ones, it is imperative that their mental health is not ignored.
Loneliness can have an effect on their life. Their children have all grown up and may have moved far away. Many of their close friends and family members may have passed away. They could have lost their spouse as well. It is important that you be there for them during these more difficult times. You can visit with them often. Even if it is only for a few minutes, a short conversation and time spent together can help them achieve mental wellness. Listen to them and let them share their thoughts and feelings. A visit to a therapist may also be in order. There was a stigma attached to mental health treatment that many from the older generations may still believe in. Let them know that there is no shame in seeking mental health treatment. Mental well-being is important for your overall health. These are vital factors when you are caring for aging loved ones.
Preparing the home
When you are caring for aging loved ones, you will want to make sure that they can navigate their daily life in their home. They may have some difficulty getting around. There are a number of different things that you can do to make their home as safe and comfortable as possible.
For those that have difficulty moving around, a chair lift can be a lifesaver. Traveling up a long flight of stairs can be an arduous task for someone in their later years. A chair lift can help them get around the whole house. It may also improve their mental health. Being stuck in the same room all day can have an effect on the mind. A chair lift can give them that much-needed independence.
Another commitment to their home is making sure that it is safe and healthy to live in. Air quality is so important. Respiratory and breathing problems often affect those who are up there in age. Lifelong smokers may develop emphysema. In order to improve indoor air quality, there are several tips and tricks that you can utilize. A de-humidifier or a salt lamp can help improve the air in their home. It will help make breathing all the easier.
Vision care
As people age, some parts of their bodies lose their luster. Eyesight is often one of those things that will break down over time. There are a number of steps that you can take to help prevent vision loss while you are caring for aging loved ones.
Eye strain can be a nuisance for someone who has to focus for long periods of time. Make sure that your loved one does not spend too much time on their phone, television, or computer. Try to encourage them to find some other activities that they might enjoy. They can break up their day and reduce the potential for eye strain. You should also make sure that they get enough sleep.
Someone with vision problems should get them addressed swiftly. You should conduct some research into vision therapy services available in your area. They can help identify any budding vision issues before they snowball into something more concerning. Regular visits to the eye doctor will go a long way in achieving the best vision possible.
Cataracts are an issue for many people, but especially seniors. If you have regular checkups, the eye doctor will be able to identify cataracts in the early stages. Talk to the doctor about any medications that could help. Together, you can develop a plan on how to best treat this condition. Many times, the best treatment is surgery. If your loved one does require surgery, make sure to be there for them and this can help to ease some of concerns that they may have. Nobody actively enjoys surgery, but they are a reality for numerous people in life.
Make sure that you, your loved one, and the doctor have an open dialogue about whether to have surgery. There may not be an intense rush since they typically do not cause any damage to the eye. However, if your loved one has diabetes, there are a number of concerns. This can further complicate matters. The doctor will lay out the process of the surgery. This can help to ease some of their concerns and move forward. This can be vital when you are caring for aging loved ones.
Medical care
Facing an emergency situation is one of the most stressful experiences in life. When it is your loved one, the worry is multiplied exponentially. When you are caring for aging loved ones, you will have to face the fact that they may not be with you much longer. We all hope that when that day comes, it is peaceful and painless. However, just because someone is a senior, it does not mean that they aren’t resilient. If a tragic event can be prevented, we should do all that we can for them.
Dealing with an emergency situation should always include a call to 911. Acting promptly and with discipline can often be the difference between life and death. They will need immediate treatment in a hospital. Not every health crisis, however, requires a trip to the hospital. Their current crisis may not be life-threatening, but it can still be painful or sickening. Someone who is aging may see their condition worsen because of these factors. Even if they do not go to the emergency room, they shouldn’t just live with it or “toughen it out.” Luckily, you can take your loved one to an emergency health clinic.
Emergency health clinics can be a true asset in people’s health care. These facilities are equipped to deal with medical conditions that do not need the same care as one treated in a hospital. They can be incredibly convenient. Someone can get easy treatment just by visiting a walk-in medical clinic. The trained nurses and doctors are equipped to help your loved one rectify their medical situation.
In addition to treating medical situations when they arise, you should look for preventative treatment for your loved one. Just because they are old does not mean that they can’t be healthy. A visit to a wellness clinic can help get your loved one centered and feeling better. These clinics are used to help a person’s body and mind. A visit to a wellness clinic can be a nice little treat for them. Massages can help ease back and joint pain for your loved one. This will go a long way in staying healthy. The elderly population does not want to just sit back and wait for their day to come. Staying as healthy as possible will certainly help in delaying that inevitable day. They can go on to lead full and rich lives in their later years.
Insurance
Medical insurance can be a tricky business for all involved. When you are caring for aging loved ones, you may have the power of attorney. Those of us who have power of attorney with our loved ones are required to make decisions on their behalf. Dealing with any insurance issues will fall under that purview.
It is important that you carefully examine insurance plans before signing up for a plan. Insurance plans change frequently, and it is imperative that you find the best one available for your loved one. The primary care health providers will be tasked with providing plans for clients. If your loved one is still of sound mind, make sure to discuss the different plans with them. Weigh the pros and cons of each plan and then go from there. With the right research and communication, you and your loved one can make an informed decision.
Caring for aging loved ones can take a toll on caregivers. Stress can be a major nuisance on our own health. Someone may be so stressed that they locked their keys in their car and will need a vehicle lock out service. It is important that you do think about yourself. Take a deep breath and do not be afraid to reach out for help. If you are coming from a place of love and understanding, you will be able to provide the care that your loved one needs.
