How Families Can Help Older Loved Ones Live Comfortably at Home
The vast majority of older people — some 80% - 90% according to some sources — would prefer to live in their own homes as they age, rather than moving to an assisted living facility.
However, it’s important for family members to be aware of the risks posed to their older loved ones when they’re living at home, especially if they’re living on their own. Taking a proactive approach to making the property safer can enhance your loved one’s safety and give you peace of mind that they’re OK, even when you can’t be there directly.
As you’ll see below, none of the steps required to help your loved one live comfortably at home require radical shifts. Mostly, it comes down to simply taking a few easy-to-do practical steps that guide safety in the right direction.
Removing Tripping Hazards
Falls are the leading cause of injuries among older adults, and many of those falls happen at home. This usually happens for avoidable reasons, such as the older adult tripping on a pet bowl, curled rug, or low furniture.
Removing those tripping hazards doesn’t eliminate the risk of a fall, but it can go a long way towards reducing the chances. It’s recommended to take a walk through your loved one’s home to check for any potential tripping hazards, and then remove them (if possible; if not, make sure they do not pose a tripping threat). It’s also advisable to perform the same job on the exterior part of the property; many falls occur on pathways when an older adult is walking from the car to the front door.
Install Home Safety Features
There are a host of home safety features that have specifically been designed to enhance the safety of elderly loved ones in the home.
These can include grab bars in the shower and near the toilet, which reduce the risk of bathroom falls. Brighter lighting, including motion sensor nightlights, can also help to make the space safer. If necessary, adding a stairlift can be a good option.
Whichever you choose, make sure that the safety features are installed professionally. There have been instances where people have DIY installed grab bars with suction-mounted fittings, only for them to fall off the wall when in use.
Utilize an Emergency Medical Profile System
Even if you take all of the suggestions on this list, there’s still a chance that your older loved one will experience a medical issue at home. As such, it’s best to assume that this will happen and take proactive steps to ensure that they can get the help they need in the event of an emergency.
Investing in systems that allow your loved one to get the medical treatment they need can make all the difference. These can include life alert systems, which automatically alert emergency response teams in the event of an incident, as well as an emergency medical profile system such as My Medical Choice, which helps keep key medical information, emergency contacts, and other vital healthcare-related data easily accessible to healthcare professionals if your loved one is unable to speak for themselves. These systems ensure that your loved one receives the right care, as soon as possible.
Arrange Food Delivery Services
Managing day-to-day tasks becomes more challenging as a person ages. Not only that, but they can also increase the risk of injury and medical incidents — for example, when lifting heavy supermarket bags or preparing food in the kitchen.
Setting up a food delivery system ensures that your loved one has the food they need, without having to go through the trouble of visiting the store or preparing it themselves. Wherever you live, there will be services available that can do it on your behalf, or you can deliver food yourself. Some services also include a free wellness check during delivery, giving additional peace of mind that multiple people are looking out for your loved one.
Consider At-Home Support Services
Part of the reason why family members would often prefer their older loved ones to move into an assisted living facility is that it ensures that they will have access to professionals who can assist them with daily tasks, as well as ensure that they’re not spending too much time by themselves.
At-home support services help to bridge the gap between living at home and living in a facility. You can arrange these services on an as-needed basis, depending on the needs of your loved one. Even hiring support services for a few hours a week can make a meaningful difference, not just to your loved one’s life, but also for your peace of mind. It’s a good way to get respite from providing care while still ensuring your loved one receives the care they need.
Schedule Regular Visits/Phone Calls
Isolation is a prominent issue among the elderly, with many people going days without speaking to another human. Scheduling regular visits and/or phone calls can help to keep feelings of isolation and loneliness at bay, and also gives you a chance to understand how your loved one is doing both physically and mentally. If you have other family members involved in the care of your older loved one, then look at putting together a schedule of visits or phone calls. Between you and any at-home support care you organise, you’ll find that there can be someone interacting with your loved one every day, or sometimes even multiple times a day.
Know When It’s Time To Change
The above steps will go a long way towards keeping your older loved one safe and comfortable while at home, but it’s also important to remember that there comes a point when this setup no longer works. It’s a good idea to occasionally review how it’s going with your loved one at home, and notice if things are beginning to change. You and your loved one might decide that it’s time to increase the level of at-home support, or that it’s best if they move in with your own family.
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Find out how families can make a difference in the lives of older loved ones. Get practical strategies to help them live comfortably and independently at home.