Seniors have worked hard all their lives to reach the point where they are today. Staying healthy helps seniors capitalize on all of that hard work by being able to enjoy their golden years. Following these tips can help your aging loved one maintain physical and mental abilities to get out there and pursue his or her favorite activities.
1. Prevent Fall-Related Injuries
One of the leading causes of a decrease in a senior’s quality of life is serious fall-related injuries. Falling even one time can leave your loved one with a broken hip or traumatic brain injury that requires a lengthy recovery period. Depending on the severity of a fall, your parent might not fully recover all of his or her abilities.
You can prevent fall-related injuries by implementing some basic safety measures around the house. Installing handrails in the bathroom, encouraging your loved one to wear non-skid shoes, and helping with difficult tasks are all options that can keep your loved one safe.
2. Develop & Follow a Healthy Diet Plan
As a younger adult, your loved one might have gotten away with skipping meals or eating too much junk food. Now, your parent’s body needs every bit of nutrition it can get to maintain a healthy brain and heart. Working with a nutritionist is one way to increase the nutrient content of your loved one’s meals. If cooking is difficult for your parent, he or she might need assistance from a home caregiver to make food prep and cleanup possible.
3. Move More throughout the Day
All the small movements your loved one makes each day add up, and seniors who find exercise overwhelming can simply increase how much they get up and walk during their daily routines. For instance, your loved one might choose to park on the far side of the parking lot when going to the grocery store. Or your parent might want to do some chair exercises during TV commercials. Taking a short walk around the neighborhood is also a good way to get out and enjoy some sunshine, which offers more benefits for your parent’s health.
Home care can be a wonderful solution when seniors need assistance with exercising safely. Elder care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
4. Make Socialization a Priority
Seniors often need to rely on others for help as they age, and having friends also boosts their mental outlook. If your loved one no longer works, meeting new people might be a challenge. Encourage your loved one to make it a goal to attend senior classes or other events that help him or her meet more people to add to his or her social circle.
For families living in Richmond, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
5. Plan Ahead for Transportation Challenges
Driving may become difficult with age, and being unable to pick up medication or go to the grocery store can have a negative impact on a senior’s health. Take some time to talk to your loved one to come up with transportation arrangements. In addition to relying on family, you can also use professional transportation services to help your loved one get to appointments and run errands.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of Richmond Home Care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, call us at (804) 600-0002 today.
