Living with an elderly family member or being a caregiver as a profession can be difficult, despite the sense of comfort, familiarity, and safety an individual experiences knowing you are around to assist them if they need help. But there are things you must keep in mind when living with a senior citizen, such as how safe your home is for them, or if modifications need to be made to make their lives more comfortable. Read on to find out about the steps you should never forget when caring for a senior family member.
Educate Yourself
The first thing to do when taking care of an elderly person is to make sure you are properly educated on how to do so. You should try to keep up with the most current and best practices when it comes to caregiving. This can be done by reading guides online that are provided by many reliable websites that focus on caregiving for the elderly. It’s also a good idea to stay updated on the latest technologies that can help out senior citizens. These new technologies can either lend you a helping hand so you can provide better care for your family member, or can help improve their quality of life and allow them to become more independent.
Receive Financial Support
Taking on an extra family member can be a financial burden as well, especially if that person is a senior who requires medications and doctors visits, as well as other forms of care. This is why it’s important to see if they are eligible for financial support from government programs that can help pay for at least some of the daily expenses incurred. As a caregiver, you may also be entitled to tax relief if you claim your elderly family member as a dependent.
Make Required Modifications to your Home
If the senior you are living with is struggling with being mobile or has a tendency to lose their balance, you should make sure your house is maintained in a way that both your home and yard, if you have one, are safe for them. Aged Care specialists at Arcare recommend making changes to improve safety and access at home. For example, you might want to consider adding ramps for wheelchairs or implementing rails on staircases or other elevated areas to prevent catastrophic incidents from occurring. Another useful idea is to buy a shower chair which can prevent them from collapsing when they are bathing. You should also make sure your home lighting is always bright, as aged eyes tend to see less as time goes on. You should make it a point to install lights in areas that are without natural lighting and consistently replace any burnt-out lightbulbs.
Encourage Physical and Mental Activity
Another caregiving step you shouldn’t forego is encouraging the senior person that you’re caring for to engage in physical and mental activity. Regular physical activity like walking while using a walking cane for stability or physical therapy stimulates blood flow, decreases levels of stress, and promotes a healthy heart. Other benefits include maintaining healthy weight levels, improving sleep quality, and lowering the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancers. Mental stimulation through activities like daily sudoku, crossword puzzles, reading, and writing can help maintain and improve cognitive functions. These activities also allow the elderly to keep their minds stimulated and sharp.
Get Extra Help if Needed
Finally, you should always remember that you might sometimes need a well-deserved break. There is no shame in hiring or asking for extra help if you need to do so. This help may come in the form of a cleaning service for help around the house, another companion who can take them out on daily trips to keep them occupied so you can have some time for yourself, or even friends or family members to help out or run some errands. Another idea is to order groceries and caregiving supplies in bulk and have them delivered to the home or to find a meal preparation service to offer regular healthy and nutritious meals.
There are many reasons people decide to become caregivers for their parents or elderly family members rather than send them to a nursing home, or even just to take on the profession of caregiving for the elderly. However, it can be a stressful process. Fortunately, provided that you pace yourself, get help from others, and don't forget to implement the tips mentioned in this article, you should be able to provide consistently great care.
