Tips for Helping Your Parent Achieve their Goal of Aging in Place

By Robert D. Liken CPC, CTS, President

February 2, 2017

Caregiver in Sewickley PA

Aging in place is a meaningful concept that is the goal of most elderly adults as they progress through their later years. This term simply means being able to age in their own surroundings, Caregiver-in-Sewickley-PAwhether that is their current home, a smaller home designed to accommodate their changing needs, or your home with your family, rather than transitioning into another form of care facility. Aging in place helps to preserve mental and emotional health, encourages independence and autonomy, and ensures that your parent receives the most personalized and dedicated care available. For elderly adults dealing with the most pressing of demands and challenges, aging in place can be difficult, but as their family caregiver there are things that you can do to help them have a better chance of achieving their goal of aging in place.
 
Use these tips to help your parent achieve their goal of aging in place throughout their later years:

  • Keep up the light. Low vision is extremely common among elderly adults and can greatly increase the chances of a serious fall or other accident. Adding more light to their surroundings helps them to better navigate their home and avoid potential injuries, as well as enable them to keep up with some of their favorite activities, such as hobbies.
  • Simplify access for those with arthritis. If your elderly loved one is dealing with arthritis they may struggle to open doors, cabinets, and windows throughout their home. This can reduce their independence and the feeling that they are living the quality of life that they desire. Go through their home and replace doorknobs and windows with easy-open versions. For example, handles on cabinets are easier than small knobs and windows with ledges on the bottom are better than those without.
  • Create better security for seniors with dementia. If your elderly parent is suffering from dementia they might develop wandering tendencies. This could mean that they are at greater risk of leaving the home and potentially being in dangerous situations. Create better security for them by installing additional locks to doors and windows. Consider concealing backdoors, doors to garages and attics, or large windows to help dissuade them from wandering.
  • Keep up the communication. Staying in close communication with your elderly loved one and all members of their care team is critical to maintaining their care throughout their later years. Keep up communication with them at all times, especially if you are a distance caregiver. Scheduling calls and visits keeps you up-to-date on their condition and enables you to adjust their care routine as needed.

 
No matter how prepared you feel to be a family caregiver for your elderly loved one, it is probable that at some point in your journey you will realize that the responsibilities and obligations of the role go beyond what you are able to fulfill comfortably, confidently, and effectively. When this happens, starting home care for them can be one of the most meaningful and compassionate decisions that you can make to help them live the highest quality of life as they age in place. A home care provider will be with your parent on a fully customized schedule tailored to their individual needs, challenges, and limitations as well as their personality, lifestyle goals, and beliefs. This means that they are able to live the lifestyle that they desire while still staying safe, comfortable, healthy, and happy as they age.
 

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Sewickley, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Liken Home Care.  Call (412) 693-6820 or (855) 856-0551