Secrets to Successfully Aging in Place

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What's the Best Advice for Seniors Who Want to Age in Place in Tampa Bay, FL

Many seniors prefer to live in their homes as they age instead of moving in with family and friends, downsizing, or choosing to reside in retirement facilities or nursing homes. This is an excellent option for aging adults who have the support they need to maintain their safety and good health. Below are some tips family caregivers can use to help their senior loved ones age in place successfully.

Rearrange the Furniture

Moving furniture around, buying easy-to-use appliances, and switching your loved one’s bedroom are small things that can make days easier without disrupting his or her entire life. These changes can prevent your loved one from exerting too much energy while maintaining independence in the golden years. For example, seniors living with arthritis may find it easier to move around if their bedrooms are on the main floor instead of walking up and down the stairs. As long as your parent continues to get the exercise his or her body needs, you can switch the bedroom and rearrange furniture to make aging in place more successful.

Eat Healthy Meals & Take Medications on Time

Most adults take multiple medications at some point in their senior years, which is why family caregivers need to develop excellent strategies to avoid overdosing, skipping medication, or taking the wrong prescription. Some tips include using medication dispensers divided by the days of the week or smartphone apps that alert seniors when it’s time to take medicine.

When it comes to meal preparation, create weekly meal plans and precook some of your loved one’s entrées for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This step ensures your parent gets the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients he or she needs to remain in excellent health.

If your loved one needs help with planning and preparing nutritious meals, consider hiring a home caregiver. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable homecare. Families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.

Maintain Socialization

Isolation is one of the most significant risks for older adults who choose to age in place. They stay at home, stop interacting with close friends and family members, and avoid community events due to various reasons, such as decreasing health. However, socialization is necessary to preserve memory, vision, and physical capabilities. Family caregivers can frequently visit with their loved ones and encourage them to join sports groups or take up fun activities that include socializing, such as painting or dancing classes, language arts courses, and book clubs. Socialization can also stave off depression and boost mental and emotional health.

For families living in Clearwater, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

Have Adequate Transportation

Another issue seniors often face when aging in place is lack of transportation to the grocery store, doctor visits, social outings, and more. Develop a schedule among your siblings to ensure your parent has the transportation he or she needs at all times. It would be ideal to stop by your loved one’s home daily to take him or her to run errands in addition to providing companionship. If your parent is in good health and drives, monitor him or her to ensure no health problems have occurred, such as memory or vision loss. Look at the car, mailbox, and garage door for dents and other noticeable marks.

Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional elderly home care Clearwater seniors can trust and rely on. If you need professional care for your senior loved one, Home Care Assistance is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (727) 330-7862.

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