An elderly person's caregiver is usually a family member they trust. These trusted family members offer a wide variety of services to assist the older with their daily activities. Some of the most popular areas that need assistance are adapting the house, medication management, transportation, meals and more. Continue reading to learn more about finding the perfect caregiver for your loved ones. These are some tips to help you find the right caregiver for your loved one.
Your home can be adaptable
There are many ways you can adapt your home to accommodate the needs of elderly residents. An occupational therapist can help determine what needs to be done in your home and how much money you have available for the project. Outdoor lights and hand rails are very helpful for those with mobility problems. You should make sure that they don't disturb neighbors.
Medication management
Seniors living at home need more care in managing their medication. The reason older adults are sometimes unable or unwilling to remember which medication to take is that they might take multiple medications at once, forgetting to take them all. This confusion can lead patients to miss doses or stop taking their medication altogether. Seniors might also be taking multiple medications for different ailments. Senior citizens may take multiple medications for different conditions. While we all know the dangers of taking a double dose, many forget to remind them that they need to take it at least twice daily.
Transport
Caring for the elderly at home is a demanding job. Many times, family caregivers can't leave their job every day to assist a loved one to get to and from appointments. Alternative transportation options exist to ease the burden on caregivers, and keep elderly people connected. There are many transportation options available, and each region offers different options. However, there are often special transit options and discounts. Here are some ideas on how to find and utilize alternative transportation for seniors living at home.
Meals
Meals for seniors living at home can be provided at no cost, or on a sliding-fee basis. Seniors will not be turned away because they lack the funds to pay for the meals. However, senior citizens may be asked to contribute to the costs of the meals. There is high demand for these services across the country. Unfortunately, this can lead to long waits and even turn away seniors. If you want to avoid becoming a statistic, there are ways you can make an impact.
Activities
There are many activities that seniors can do at home. Many of them are also great for physical activity. Making cookies, cakes, or bread requires hand dexterity. These are all social activities. Another option is to make popcorn, colour Easter eggs and make fresh garden vegetables. These activities are enjoyable and can be satisfying for the elderly. However, many may not like to be around other people or be alone.