Improved Elder Care in 5 Easy Steps

Posted: 7/20/2015 1:30 PM by Interim HealthCare
Elder Care Tips by Interim HealthCare

There are many ways to improve care for an elderly individual. For family members, friends, or other loved ones who were concerned about a senior in their life, there are steps they can take to improve the quality of care and safety for them.

Step #1: Hire a professional, experienced elder care provider.

By relying on a professional caregiver, especially somebody who has experience and works for an agency, this improves safety because somebody will be there working with the senior on a regular basis. The consistency of a schedule can be incredibly important because if the elderly individual doesn’t know when a family member or friend is going to be stopping by, they might try to do things on their own. Set up a consistent schedule by relying on professional care.

Step #2: Focus on the physical challenges the person has.

Everyone is different, yet seniors often experience less strength and agility as they get older. By focusing on their physical limitations and challenges they face, it becomes easier to figure out what they may need help with on a regular basis.

Step #3: Consider installing grab bars in the shower or tub surround.

One of the most dangerous places in the entire house for the senior is the bathroom. Getting into and out of a bathtub or shower can be incredibly difficult for somebody with less strength in their legs and less balance.

By installing grab bars, it will give the senior something to hold onto and that can offer them comfort and physical stability.

Step #4: Improve their diet.

If the senior has difficulty standing for long periods of time, he or she may avoid preparing meals from scratch. As a result, they may be more reliant on frozen and processed meals that aren’t going to be very healthy for them. By helping them focus on an improved diet that relies on more fruits and vegetables and less red meat, it will help them feel better and stay as healthy as possible.

Step #5: Encourage exercise.

Experienced caregivers often encourage their aging clients to exercise on a regular basis, especially if their doctor has recommended that very thing. Exercise is incredibly important for people of all ages, yet it’s important to have the senior consult his or her doctor before taking on any new exercise regimen to make sure it is safe for them to do so.

By taking these five steps, it should help to improve elder care for any senior.

If you have an aging loved one in need of elder care services contact Interim HealthCare today.