15 Ways to Look After Your Elderly Relative Better

If you have an elderly relative you are responsible for, you might feel like you have kids again, There are certain challenges people face as they age, and it is up to you to find out how to make the most out of the opportunities. Older people want to be needed and useful, and they have so much to give, even though they might not be as able physically as they used to be. Make them a part of your family, get them involved in projects, and support their hobbies, so they can find their purpose and stay connected with the community and the world. Below you will find a few tips on how to get started with improving your older family member’s quality of life.

1 Prevention

As we age, our digestive system slows down, and inactive lifestyle might lead to various health problems. It is important that you support your relative in having a healthy and balanced diet, and find out which vitamins and minerals they are more likely to need. It is a good idea to talk to their doctor and an elderly care professional, so you can change their diet to give them a more active, happier, and healthier life. You might want to try Vitamin D supplements that support the immune system and help them stay positive, even if they are unable to leave the house at certain times.

2 Checkups

As we age, our health climbs up the list of our priorities. You should talk to your relative’s physician, so you can get the help they need and an early diagnosis. This will also make it easier to prevent chronic illnesses and keep your loved one active for a long time. Whether they suffer from memory loss or rheumatism, you will have to spot the signs and get treatment as soon as possible. This is why you need a routine checkup schedule set up.

3 Independence

One of the things older people value the most is their independence. The last thing you want to do is take it away from them. There are several supported living facilities available for people who need help getting things done, but they don’t want other people to do everything for them, You can check out local aged care providers that will help you get the support you need without taking away your older relative’s independence. For in-home care, there are services like careforfamily.com.au helping people live in their own home, safely and happily for as long as they choose.

4 Getting Everyone Involved

When you arrange family programmes or planning holidays and special events, it is crucial that you involve every generation. There are so many things older people can talk about with kids, and they want to feel loved, wanted, and needed. Make sure that they are invited to social events, family gatherings, and their needs are accommodated. They might not want to climb the mountain with you, but will be happy to join you at the top and have lunch with the rest of the family.

5 Live In Help

If you have serious concerns about your family member’s ability to complete basic tasks, or taking their medication, you might consider getting a live-in help for them. They will be able to socialize and discuss their issues with someone while having the support they need. If your elderly relative recently lost a loved one, this will help them deal with grief and find their purpose in life again.

6 Immune Supplements

Apart from vitamins and minerals, you can also try some medication that boosts your older relative’s immune system. Over 50s medication and tablets might be the solution, but it is always the best if you talk to your family doctor and ask them for a recommendation. After all, we are all different, and our bodies need various supplements in various amounts. Some of the best natural immune boosters are avocados, Goji berries, and blackcurrant.

7 Home Mobility Adjustments

In case your elderly relative is perfectly able to make their own decision, but their physical health and mobility lets them down, you need to get them the help they need. Chances are that they will only need some small adjustments, such as a ramp for their mobility scooter and frame, a rail next to the steps, or a stair lift and a bath rail. At the end of the day, you don’t want them to feel that they are unable to do anything on their own.

8 Day Care

Loneliness is a major issue older people face. If you have to work away from home and cannot visit them every day, you should look into day care facilities. This will not only help them feel useful and look forward to something again, but also get them the company they need to express their feelings and keep their mind active. From craft clubs to different skills training and gardening, your relative will enjoy the company of like minded people.

9 Giving Them the Social Life

It is crucial that you don’t let your older family member feel like an outsider in the society. Give them ideas on how to connect with people and join groups to engage with those they would like to connect with. Loneliness will not only make them more prone to mental illnesses and reduce their cognitive abilities, but also make them feel less useful. From getting a part time job, taking on a hobby, or getting a dog to get out of the house, there are plenty of ideas you can use.

10 Supporting Their Passion

It is also important that you stand behind them a hundred percent. The last thing your older relative would like to hear is that they are too old to do something, or it is dangerous at their age. You need to help them no matter if they want to join a gym class, take on knitting, or start their own community garden. The more they feel like you are behind them the more motivated they will be to go on and pursue their passion.

11 Recreational Centers –

Thankfully, many communities now have recreational centres where older people can meet like-minded individuals who think the same way. From holiday resorts to walking clubs and hobby groups, you have to do your research and present your list of options. Sometimes taking the initiative is hard for elderly people, and they don’t have the confidence to go out and meet others. This is why you should take the first step.

12 Getting Them Active

Physical activity has several mental health benefits. You might not want to overwhelm your relative with challenges, but avoid making them feel too comfortable. If they are perfectly capable of walking slowly or with a frame, there is no reason why they should sit on the sofa and watch TV all day. You need to invite them to family programs they can take part in without pushing themselves too far or endangering their health. After all, even young people need a bit of encouragement to work out. Older people lacking the motivation are even more likely to sit back and get comfortable.

13 Volunteering Opportunities

If you would like to give your older relative a new purpose in life, you might want to look at volunteering opportunities together. The job they can do should depend on their abilities and physical or mental abilities, but there is no reason why they could not help out at the local church, a charity shop, or help out at the local children’s center. Having a volunteering job after retirement can be a good way of feeling positive about the future and good about ourselves.

14 Telehealth

If spending time commuting to health centres and getting the checkups from professionals is taking too much time and energy, you might want to explore the opportunities provided by the latest telehealth systems. This will give your relative and you more flexibility and more time to go out and enjoy life. Sitting at the doctor’s office or in the waiting room can be boring and make you feel more negative. However, if you can get your relative’s health monitored in their own home, they will feel more comfortable engaging with health care professionals.

15 Safety First

No matter what type of activity you are encouraging your relative to take on, it has to be checked with a physician first. The last thing you want to do is put them at risk. At the same time, you can make their environment and home safer by getting alarms installed and monitoring their appliances. Having a fire and smoke alarm is essential, but you also have to think about having a spare key, getting an alarm system to make them feel safe, and getting neighbours to check on them from time to time.

It is your responsibility to help your ageing family member make the most out of their lives. If you are patient and learn to understand their needs, you can help them find a new purpose after retirement, a new passion, and new friends as well, while maintaining their physical and mental health and their cognitive abilities.

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