4 Ways to Help Aging Parents Live Independently

According to the United States Census Bureau, over 14% of the population is over the age of 65. That’s more than 98 million senior citizens living in the U.S. alone. Reports also claim that 6.8% of the elderly requires personalized health care. Your parents enjoy their independence and insist on living in their home, alone. 

However, you’ve noticed the signs of potential risks of injury, poor nutrition and the need of assistance for daily tasks. You try to help out as much as you can, but you live far away and don’t know what to do. Don’t worry, because we’re here to help guide you through every step of the way. 

Understand Their Needs and Condition

First, take the time to observe your parent’s various activities. Schedule an appointment with their doctor to give you a better idea of your parent’s condition and how equipped they are to continue living independently. Have a discussion regarding your parent’s limitations to help you address them accordingly.

Related infographic: The elderly and the world wide web.

Consider Weekly Home Care

While seniors prefer to handle their house chores and daily tasks themselves, consider hiring home care services that provide companionship services, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and help with medication and hygiene.

Depending on the health of your parent, choosing home care is a great way to help them live as independently as they can without the stress of housework and cooking. What’s great about home care is that you can tailor your service to meet their needs. Having a caregiver around will help relieve them of some responsibilities at home. 

Arrange Groceries to Be Delivered

A healthy diet is vital for seniors to ensuring one’s emotion and physical well-being. However, getting the necessary nutrition is far from simple as driving can pose a challenge for an elderly person. To make their daily lives a bit simpler, arrange an online grocery delivery straight to their doorstep. This will help reduce the stress of commute and standing in line at the market.

Additionally, there are programs like Meals on Wheels that serve millions of people each year. These programs deliver food to your door with the mission to help those who are unable to provide nutritious meals for themselves. 

Invest in Medical Alert Systems

As we age, our risks of injury from a household accident or medical emergency increases drastically. In fact, nearly one in three seniors suffer from falls each year. While not many falls do not cause injuries, one out of five falls results in a broken bone or a head injury. Providing your parent with an emergency call device will provide a peace of mind. Seniors wearing a medical alert system will benefit from gaining instant access to assistance as they can summon for help with just one push of a button. This is particularly helpful in any event of a sudden fall, pain, or unable to get out of bed. 

The decision to have an elderly parent leave the comfort of their home is disheartening. Thanks to modern technology, seniors can live healthily and free to make life easier. With the right approach to technology, assistance, and caregivers, seniors will have a promising future ahead of them.

Related source: Home inspections for seniors