Fear is a natural human emotion, and each stage of life brings new worries. Even life after retirement has its fair share of challenges. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elderly home care. Tucson families trust in Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
While it is impossible to erase every worry, preparing for the future can help ease these 7 common fears for the elderly.
1. Becoming a Victim of a Crime
The news is full of stories about scams being targeted toward seniors. While you cannot always be there to keep your loved one safe, you can talk about how to prevent many scams. Home alarm systems and overnight caregivers might give seniors a sense of security.
2. Experiencing a Fall-Related Injury
Fall-related injuries often impact a senior’s independence. Talk to your loved one about ways to increase bone health, and encourage him or her to get bone density screenings. Arrange for help around the house with tasks that increase your loved one’s risk of falls, especially if he or she takes medications that cause dizziness.
3. Having Financial Problems
Increasing costs of daily living and healthcare often leave seniors worried about money. Ease this concern by meeting with your loved one to create a budget that works with his or her income. Then, help your loved one find ways to save such as taking care of his or her health now to reduce future medical expenses.
4. Being a Burden on Children
Some older adults don’t want to think about having to rely on their children for help. Adult children should let their parents know they don’t mind caring for them. It may also be helpful to start planning for in-home care to reduce the burden of being a family caregiver.
If you are the primary caregiver for a senior loved one in Tucson, respite care is available when you need time away from your important caregiving duties. At Home Care Assistance, our respite caregivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your loved one manage everyday tasks in the comfort of home while you have the chance to take a much-needed break.
5. Losing the Ability to Drive
There is nothing like the feeling of being able to get behind the wheel and go wherever you want. Seniors fear becoming housebound when they can no longer drive. If a loved one’s driving has begun to instill fear into your heart, you can ease both of your anxieties by arranging for transportation services.
6. Failing to Maintain Dignity
Everyone has their need for privacy, and seniors often worry about the day when someone has to help them with their personal needs. Talk to your loved one about how he or she would like these concerns handled. While some people prefer to have a family member help, others prefer a professional in-home caregiver.
7. Handling the Future
Many seniors fear the unknown future, especially the challenges associated with aging. Make sure to meet with your loved one regularly to discuss options, as new health conditions may alter his or her abilities. Help your loved one plan exciting activities that keep him or her busy enough to not have time to think about things that may or may not happen.
Memory loss is another common fear among aging adults. Seniors are susceptible to dementia and other types of cognitive health conditions that have an impact on their memory. If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you should consider hiring a professional caregiver to help him or her delay the onset of memory loss. For trusted and reliable dementia care, Tucson families can turn to Home Care Assistance. We are experts in caring for seniors with memory-related conditions, our caregivers are available 24/7, and all of our dementia care programs are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. To learn about our dementia care plans, call one of our professional Care Managers at (520) 276-6555 today.