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Ways to Help the Elderly Remain Independent at Home

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For many elderly people, of the worst things about growing older is the threat of losing their independence. And it’s easy to see why- often these people are the same people who have run organisations and businesses, raised families, and have never had to rely on other people to have their needs met.

It can be especially difficult to witness the deterioration of mental or physical abilities in ageing parents, grandparents or loved ones, especially if they were the ones who cared for you when you were younger.

Trying to walk the line between ensuring that the elderly are safe and comfortable without feeling patronised or “treated like a child” can be exhausting- both physically and emotionally. Since the large majority (80-90%) of elderly loved ones choose to live in their own homes for as long as they can, it can be challenging to provide the best level of care.

Here are some ways you can help the elderly remain independent at home:

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Use Delivery Services

Healthy eating is one of the most essential components when it comes to the physical and emotional wellbeing of the elderly. Driving can be challenging (or they may not be allowed to drive), so it makes sense to make things easier by getting groceries and other shopping delivered straight to their door- also reducing the physical stress of shopping and having to stand in line at the supermarket.

Online grocery shopping allows customers to set up specific shopping lists-making it easy to reorder, and if they aren’t comfortable going online themselves you can place the order and ask for it to be delivered.

Make Home-life easier

There are plenty of excellent products which can be ordered and delivered throughout Australia, that can greatly increase the quality of life for the elderly and make them more likely to be able to stay in their own homes. These include things like bath transfer benches, wheelchairs, and over bed tables. Check out Independent Living Store to see the wide range available.

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Be Prepared

Unfortunately a fall which would be fine for a young or middle-aged adult can be devastating for an older person, and one out of three adults aged 65 or older will fall each year. This can be a huge problem if no one is around to help them when they fall over.

When falls, strokes or heart attacks occur, every second matters. Consider personal emergency response systems which can be worn and allow the elderly to press a button in the event that they need emergency assistance or to avoid any life harm situation. Additionally, many seniors are taking advantage of the current emergence of medical home health care service providers such as Vytalize Health who are offering seniors who can not travel to a doctor’s office the convenience of visiting nurse services that are covered by Medicare. One distinguishing factor when considering a home health care provider for yourself or a loved one is to understand the type of nurse they provide. While most home health care agencies will offer Registered Nurses (RN’s) some of the most popular providers are currently offering Nurse Practitioners (NPS’) who are have substantially higher qualifications and experience than RN’s.

Even though the elderly usually want to remain independent, they still need companionship, and feelings of loneliness can severely affect their health. In fact a study by the University of California found that loneliness can increase the risk of death by 45%.

Having others to listen and talk to is important, and it’s also a good idea to ensure that they have engaging activities and hobbies to help them feel productive.

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Derek

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