Compared to nursing facility care, home care can give more positive results in the healing process of an older adult. The better outcomes of this setting may be due to several factors, like comfort and a sense of familiarity. Hence, numerous people from the senior population in Australia prefer receiving care at home.However, when families choose to undertake this option, they must be fully prepared to carry out various steps to ensure that the elder member is comfortable and safe even at home. With that, below are some home care tips for taking care of your elders.
Home Care Tips to take care of elders at home
Have a Family Discussion
When overseeing an older patient, all family members directly related to them must participate in planning the care that they should receive. A family discussion guarantees that all the best courses of action and inputs are discussed before reaching a conclusion.
Here, a family can weigh the options between admitting the elderly to a facility or hiring a, say, Perth Home Care Service instead. Besides that, the members can also assume responsibilities to cover all areas needed for a smooth care experience for the older adult.
Assess Your Financial Situation
The general financial situation of the family is the most significant factor that determines the type of care that an older adult receives. Of course, this topic should be discussed thoroughly during the family meeting.
Home care can be pricey due to the individualization and outstanding benefits that it offers. Hence, a family should discuss how much money each member should contribute and how it is allocated to meet the older adult’s needs.
Seek for Financial Aid
Although it may be harsh to admit, the financial burden of taking care of an elderly family member can be pretty heavy. Hence, not all families can afford quality care even if all the members pitch in.
To lighten the financial load, you can search for private or government programs that can cover some of the costs of caring for an elder patient. You can also opt to use the older adult’s pension funds; however, you need to provide informed consent before making this decision.
Hire Professional Help
Family members with their own families can’t always be around to watch over an older adult in the home care setting. Unfortunately, it can be risky for the elder patient’s physical and mental health if they don’t have a guardian constantly watching over them.
To ensure that they remain safe at home, you can avail of home care services and hire a professional to watch over your older family member. With this option, you can also choose between full-time or part-time help, depending on the availability of family members.
Monitor Their Medications
Elderlies often come with comorbidities that require various medications with strict dosages. However, an older adult’s declining memory often makes them forget to take their medicines on time. They also have decreased awareness of their supplies.
Make sure to monitor their medical supplies and ensure that your older family member takes their medicine following the physician’s prescription. Getting a pill organizer can also help an older person keep track of their medications if they prefer more independence.
Modify Their Home
Undeniably, aging can deteriorate a person’s body and bodily functions. Hence, older adults are more prone to getting into accidents due to their physical limitations. The lack of functionality can often lead to visits to the hospital, resulting in more expenses.
Prevent accidents by modifying their home by providing and installing assistive apparatus, like walkers, handrails, carpeting, and other tools that help the mobility of the elderly. Removing clutter and improving lighting can also help compensate for their weakened senses.
Encourage Physical Activity and Healthy Meals
It is a common misconception that older adults should avoid physical activity and remain at rest to avoid exacerbating health conditions. Contrary to that belief, however, exercise actually improves the overall well-being of a person even in old age. Of course, their workout plan should be toned down to match their current abilities.
Besides physical activity, they should also have a balanced diet with healthy meals to ensure that their health does not solely rely on medications. Not only will this lifestyle help speed up their healing process, but it will also slow down the adverse effects of aging.
Visit More Often
Because people are generally busy with their own lives, not much time is given to spend with older adults. Hence, they are prone to experiencing loneliness from solitude. Sadly, this mental state can also affect their physical health, often leading to premature death.
You can prevent this by visiting your older family member more often. It also helps to remind the other family members to do the same and take turns so that your elders are always accompanied by someone at their home.
A final note on Home Care Tips
Taking care of an older adult can take a heavy toll on family members. However, with the right courses of action and fair distribution of responsibilities, the task can be fulfilling, especially knowing how quality care even at home can positively impact your elder’s welfare.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
