The problem of how to preserve our parents 'independence gradually becomes one of the most important problems that we face, and often leads us to making very difficult choices about where they can live. On the other hand, with forethought and planning it's possible to build a home that lets them grow old in the place they like best. In this how-to guide, we discuss several ways to let your aging parents stay in their familiar surroundings and keep their accustomed routines.
**Companion Care: Fostering Connection and Assistance**
The choice of companion care is an invaluable option, which provides both companionship and practical help with day-to-day living. For a start, if you can hire someone to come around and see your parents for a few hours two or three times each week, you get not only the friendly aspect of the company but also someone who can help with meals, laundry, shopping and light housework. CareYaya is a service that hook's up dedicated university students studying healthcare with elderly clients, and it has rates as low as $15 per hour. It not only helps you take care of your old folks, but it also adds youthful vigor and patience to your parents 'life.The social venture is the leading caregiver platform in America, and has backing from prominent organizations including Johns Hopkins, the National Institutes of Health, and AgeTech Collaborative from AARP.
**In-Home Technologies: Bridging the Gap with Innovation**
These new technologies enable us to compensate for age-related declines. The voice-activated Amazon Echo Show can make a big difference, for example. Your parent will be able to do many tasks easily--from setting reminders to making calls. Wearable help buttons and automatic fall detection from medical alert systems like Lively or Medical Guardian offer another level of security. CarePredict is a remote patient monitoring platform that employs sensors to monitor activity levels quietly, with the result that valuable insights on budding health problems can be obtained.
Home Modifications: Creating a Senior-Friendly Environment
Make a comprehensive inspection of your parent's residence in order to pinpoint suitable locations for senior-friendly accommodation. Simple additions like grip bars, better lighting and the centralization of essentials can matter a lot. Occupational therapists can offer tailored guidance on adaptations that enhance safety and independence. For larger changes, such as installing wheelchair-friendly doors, evaluate financing methods like aging-in-place loans. This means that your parents can live in surroundings which are as familiar for years to come.
**Community Engagement: Nurturing Social Connections**
The National Institutes of Health says that physical, mental and emotional well-being all depend on taking part in many different activities. Have your loved one tie in with local senior centers, volunteer chances, church groups or common interest leisure pursuits. For those who don't like driving alone, community transport services provide an excellent alternative for unexpected errands or appointments. Putting social interactions and purpose on the calendar is crucial to warding off loneliness and isolation.
**Caregiving Respite: Prioritizing Your Well-being**
While taking care of your elderly parents, don't neglect yourself. This is where respite care services can be very helpful, supplying trained assistants to take over caregiving duties for a short period of time. Being able to recognize your own limits is very important in giving long-term support. If you set up a respite care plan, then the time that you spend with your parents will not be weighted down by chathetic guilt, at which time you can play an even more effective role in helping to support them.
Finally, with the help of considerate comrades, practical technologies and conscientious home modifications, elderly relatives can still live fruitfully in their own place. A custom support plan Develop a customized support plan by consulting with a geriatric care manager. As your parent's needs change, the plan will grow to accommodate those changes.
