Tasks That Your Elderly Loved One May Need Support With
There is no denying that age can prevent people from doing all of the things they used to do. Whether these are hobbies and activities or simple everyday tasks it can be infuriating when they are no longer able to complete them by themselves. Admitting they need some help and accepting this additional help can be the hardest part, but once they have, then you know their day-to-day life will be much simpler.
There are definitely some essential everyday tasks that usually become difficult and these are the ones that your elderly loved one will need support with to get by. To help anyone with elderly family or friends who are looking for ways they can support their loved ones, Companions Of London have put together a list of the tasks that are common to struggle with. Assisting with the things mentioned above can make such a big difference to your loved one’s life.
Showering
Lots of elderly people are well aware that the majority of accidents happen in the bathroom and this can knock their confidence completely when it comes to washing and showering by themselves. Of course, personal hygiene is incredibly important, so getting rid of any negative connotations with this room is essential.
An easy way you can help is by installing things like handrails and shower seats into their bathroom to make your loved one feel safer when washing. If your elderly family or friends require additional assistance when washing, then you may want to look into elderly home care providers that can offer services like this.
Housekeeping
Keeping a house clean is easier said than done for elderly people who have trouble with mobility, balance and strength. Many people want to continue living in their own home and depending on the size of this property is can sometimes be impossible for them to clean independently.
Simply cleaning the rooms of the house that are used frequently as often as you are able to and maintaining the others will take a lot of worry and pressure off of your loved one’s shoulders. You will then also have the peace of mind that they are living in a clean home.
Cooking
Being able to prepare a nutritious meal as well as cook it can be incredibly difficult. Since many older adults lose their appetites and take in fewer calories as they age, it is important to make sure that they are eating and that good healthy meals are easily accessible to them. The easier it is for them to eat, the more they will eat.
It might be worth bulk cooking some meals for your loved one if you can’t be there every day. This way they are already portioned for them and they will just need to heat them up to eat. Being there during meal times will be even better, then you can ensure that they actually do eat.
Medication management
Lots of elderly adults have various medication that will need to be taken. This usually needs to be taken on specific days at specific times and there is a lot to remember in this regard. This is such an important thing to get right and supporting your loved one with their medication is essential for their health and continued independence.
There are many different medication organisers that you can use to support your loved one. You can organise their tablets into days and times for them so they don’t need to worry about taking the right ones at the right time. It might be worth setting them reminders to take them too.
Getting around
In general, getting around becomes much harder with age. This refers to getting around the house as well as getting around to appointments and social activities. Lots of elderly people are unable to drive and due to this, will often be unable to get someone themselves without assistance.
Depending on your own schedule, being able to take your loved one to the shops or to a doctors appointment will help them massively. This might not be feasible if you work full time so it is worth looking into other solutions such as elderly companions who can support them with getting around.
How Companions Of London can help
You will probably notice that your loved one is starting to struggle with the things mentioned above as they get older and supporting them yourself can be hard work, as well as incredibly demanding. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when it comes to supporting your elderly family or friends with these day-to-day tasks.
Working alongside a home care agency can make your loved ones everyday life much easier and it can also provide you with peace of mind. Companions Of London can provide you with a range of reliable care services, we can support your elderly family member or friend in any way that they require and ensure that their day-to-day life is as easy and stress-free as possible.