It might seem easier to handle all health matters for a senior loved one, but this can end up making it difficult to keep track of his or her healthcare needs. Giving your loved one the tools needed to manage his or her own health can make it easier for him or her to retain independence. Here are some tips for helping your loved one take control of his or her health.
Get a Medication Organizer
Requiring your loved one to rely on you for medication dispensation is unnecessarily time-consuming, and many seniors don’t enjoy feeling as if they have to ask permission for medications. An organizer can be an excellent solution to this issue. It puts seniors back in control while reducing the risk of overdoses or forgotten dosages.
If your loved one has difficulty remembering which medications to take and when, a home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. Home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Let Them Set Their Own Sleeping Schedules
Sleep is very closely related to overall physical health, but it’s often a source of disagreement among families. A 2019 study at North Carolina State University found the ability to control their own sleep schedules helped seniors feel more independent and enhanced their overall health. You might try to tell your loved one when he or she should sleep out of concern for his or her health, but this could make your loved one feel infantilized and depressed. Instead, accept that your loved one is a mature adult, and let him or her choose to go to bed and wake up when he or she wants.
Explain How Telemedicine Works
Technology can be a great tool of empowerment for seniors. Telemedicine is an increasingly popular type of healthcare that involves having a video call with a doctor and then getting prescriptions mailed to the home. If your loved one has a phone or computer, help him or her set up telemedicine appointments. The technology can be confusing for seniors, but it’s worth working on because it allows them to talk to their doctors without having to leave the house. It can be an ideal way of getting seniors more involved in their own health.
Find Enjoyable Exercise
Staying physically active has been closely linked to retaining mobility, reducing heart disease risk, and increasing overall health during the golden years. However, many seniors avoid exercise because they feel intimidated by the idea of going to the gym. Work with your loved one to find some sort of exercise he or she can enjoy. Getting a stationary bike or signing up for aquarobics classes can help your parent get fit.
If your loved one needs help with exercising safely, consider enlisting the help of a professional home caregiver. Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Clearwater seniors can depend on.
Arrange Regular Screening Tests
An important part of managing a senior’s health is staying informed. Try to take the time to help your loved one get screening tests, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, blood pressure checks, and eye exams. This helps the doctor catch any potential problems early on so your loved one can start thinking about how he or she would like to handle any issues that arise.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional elderly home care. Clearwater families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. If you need professional home care for your aging loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Home Care Assistance today at (727) 330-7862.