How to Take Care of the Elderly?

Taking constant care of your elderly parents may seem to be a rather stressful job at times. However, with proper planning, the task can be rendered much easier. Here are some useful tips, following which can enable you to give your parents a happier as well as a more secure life!!

• Make sure that the home they are living in is perfectly safe. Check whether there are any loose rugs that may get stuck under the shoes or walkers, leading to major accidents. Make all the furniture items movable by placing them on desks/trolleys with wheels so that they can be transferred, if required.

• Make sure that the elevator works properly, as it can be really difficult for elderly people to climb up stairs. Check whether the smoke detectors or the carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. If not, repair them. Make sure that all the wires and cables are tucked or tied up properly, to prevent accidental falls.

• Install skid free bars or strips in the bathrooms to protect elderly people from slipping. You may also consider installing grab bars for added security. If the bathroom is under repair and hence, is not yet ready for use, arrange an alternative option for them. Unplug all the electrical appliances until the bathroom is ready, in order to avoid any accidents.

• Install dim night lights at certain points of the home. For example, you may install these at the bedrooms and/or in the area near the bathroom so that your parents don’t face any troubles while going to the loo during the night. Place these lights at strategic places in order to ensure adequate visibility at night, without disturbing the sleep of your parents.

• Try to have a thorough conversation with them regularly after coming home from office/workplace. Ask whether they have taken their meals and medicines properly. If you don’t stay with them, make it a point to visit them frequently. Check whether they need any grocery supplies, or whether their clothes are being cleaned properly. Take them to the doctors on the scheduled dates for check-ups. If it is difficult for you to manage all these tasks regularly, share the responsibilities either with your siblings (if any) or your partner.

• Make sure that enough modes of communications are within easy reach of your parents. Provide a telephone in their bedroom and/or give them easy-to-use cell phones, via which they can contact you or the neighbors during an emergency.

• Take care of the property they have. If they want to make a will, arrange a meeting with a lawyer. Ensure that they are able to utilize their hard-earned money in just the way they want to. Have some liquid cash ready at home, which can come in handy if there is an emergency.

• Since they can feel rather lonely at home, try to get them involved in various activities. If possible, enroll them to such organizations that conduct regular meetings of elderly people. There, they would be able to share their thoughts as well as get an opportunity to be involved in interesting tasks.

• If you are unable to devote enough time to your parents, you may consider hiring trained and caring professionals from the different Home Help Care agencies, who are well-equipped to take proper care of your elderly parents.