A National Health and Aging Trends Study found about two-thirds of Americans over the age of 65 need some level of assistance with daily activities. While every older adult is going to have some unique care needs later in life, there are certain tasks the majority of seniors will eventually need some help with. Below, you’ll find five of these things discussed.
1. Mobility
For many seniors, mobility equals independence, so it’s easy to see why issues with mobility are especially concerning for older adults. If your senior loved one is having difficulty getting around, he or she may benefit from:
• Ramps, stair lifts, and other home modifications
• Portable or permanently fixed handrails or grip bars
• Walkers, wheelchairs, and other personal mobility aids
• A shower chair or specially designed bed
• Assistance with therapies recommended by the doctor to help with mobility
Tucson in-home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
2. Medication Management
According to some estimates, older adults fill anywhere from 9 to 13 prescriptions per year. If your loved one takes medications for various physical and/or mental health issues, he or she may need help managing them, which may mean providing reminders to take the pills or finding the right medication organizer. You may also need to give your loved one shots if he or she is diabetic or break up pills to put in food to make them easier to take.
3. Personal Care
The level of assistance seniors need with personal care will vary over time. Initially, you may only need to lend a hand now and then. Later on, your loved one may need more consistent assistance with personal care tasks that involve:
• Grooming and dressing
• Bathing
• Toileting
If you’re unable to provide care of this nature on a daily basis, in-home care is one way to get a helping hand. With this type of care, a trained home caregiver steps in when you’re not available to maintain a consistent level of care.
If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Tucson, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
4. Transportation
Because all adults age differently, there’s no set age when seniors should stop driving. Still, there will likely come a time when your loved one is no longer capable of safely handling his or her own transportation needs. An in-home caregiver can lend a hand with these needs if you’re not able to do so. Senior ride programs are another option.
5. Meal Prep, Grocery Shopping, & Nutrition
Everyone should be mindful of basic nutritional needs. However, this task can become difficult for seniors due to an inability to handle more demanding meal prep tasks. Older adults may also get into the habit of relying on convenience foods a bit too much. It could also become difficult to keep up with grocery shopping. Possible solutions for managing needs of this nature include:
• Meal delivery services
• Helping your loved one make healthy weekly meal plans
• Lending a hand with grocery shopping
• Preparing healthy meals in advance that can be easily heated up
Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to an assisted living facility. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading homecare agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (520) 276-6555 today.