Aging is a part of life. We go along with our lives and manage all the tasks around the home and yard, maybe we travel, and maybe we are still employed. Then, things start to change. It may be a sudden event like falling on the ice and fracturing your wrist. It may be a gradual change, and you realize you don’t have the stamina to walk a distance that was easy for you a year ago.
Whichever way it happens, there will come a day that you realize that you are getting older. You don’t recover as quickly. Your body takes longer to get back in shape than when you were younger. It’s time to take a critical look at your life and lifestyle.
The use of in-home care may seem counterintuitive to maintaining your independence in your own home. However, keep an open mind. You would not feel that hiring a lawn service or cleaning help is a sign of weakness. Rather it gives you the opportunity to use that time doing more productive and enjoyable activities. In-home senior care can provide the same advantages.
There are various in-home care services available. Here are some ways that in-home care will help you maintain your independence and allow you to remain in your own home.
1. Nutrition. Good nutrition is important for everyone but especially for seniors. Seniors need well-balanced and nutritious diets with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. This is important for your physical health, as it builds your immune system, increases your energy level, and helps you to manage chronic health conditions. Seniors with good nutrition report higher mental acuity. Don’t forget the importance of water! Being dehydrated has been shown to cause confusion in seniors.
Lack of good nutrition can be the result of several factors. If you no longer drive, you may be limited on trips to the grocery store. As a result, some seniors will rely on processed foods, which have a longer shelf life. Some seniors have trouble preparing meals, while others don’t feel motivated to make meals for one. An in-home caregiver can help in several ways:
- Providing transportation to the grocery store
- Assisting with meal planning and grocery lists
- Assisting carrying groceries to and from the car
- Assisting with meal preparation
2. Physical Activity. Staying physically active is important for seniors. The “use it or lose it” mentality should prevail. With a doctor’s guidance and any restrictions in mind, physical activity is so important. Exercise helps keep bone density up, helping to prevent fractures. Exercise helps to keep joints and muscles flexible and strong. Exercise can improve stamina. The in-home caregiver can help encourage physical activity in these ways:
- Providing support when walking. A senior who has suffered a fall may be reluctant to continue daily walks for fear of another fall. Having a walking companion can alleviate those fears.
- Providing encouragement to exercise. There are specific exercises that improve balance. The caregiver can provide encouragement, as well as making sure the environment is safe by moving obstacles and providing support.
3. Mental Stimulation. Playing games, doing crosswords, and learning new things all are shown to provide mental stimulation and slow the progression of memory problems and even dementia. The home caregiver can:
- Take the role of the opponent in game playing.
- Provide transportation and companionship to a class to learn new skills.
- Take the role of the student while the senior teaches a skill. This will be stimulating for the brain of the senior and also provide a sense of worth.
4. Social Interaction. Social interaction is important to the quality of our lives. Loneliness is one of the most frequently noted complaints for seniors. Leaving the home and enjoying the interaction with others is stimulating as well as fun. Research has shown that an active social life can slow the progression of memory problems. The senior home caregiver can help in these ways:
- Provide transportation to events or visits with friends.
- Provide companionship for the senior at social events to encourage their attendance.
5. Medications. As we age, we may find that we have to take several medications on a regular basis. Some are once a day, but others need to be scheduled at certain times to be effective. If the senior is confused about which dose and pill to take or when to take it, they are at risk of missing medication or even taking extra doses. The caregiver can prevent mistakes and possible side effects by:
- Reminding the senior to take the appropriate medication at the appropriate time.
- Making sure the senior is consistent in taking their medications, thereby ensuring the effectiveness of the medication.
The benefits of elder home care at an early stage can definitely help seniors to maintain their independence and improve the quality of their lives.