Category: Miscellaneous

Mobility challenges and other age-related conditions often make it difficult to drive, so it’s important to find ways to help elderly people secure transportation. If your senior loved one doesn’t have a regular source of transportation, the following options for safe transportation may help. 

Driving Safety

While some seniors are unable to leave their homes independently, others can still drive. However, as a result of slower reflexes, cognitive decline, and diminished vision, it can be difficult for some seniors to drive safely. To ensure your loved one is safe while driving, discourage him or her from driving in bad weather, at night, or if he or she is experiencing dizziness, nausea, or other symptoms of illness. 

For your loved one’s long-term needs—including safe, reliable transportation—consider hiring a professional caregiver. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Senior Stride Home Care, a leading provider of elder care Oshkosh, WI, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Public Transportation Discounts

Many cities offer senior discounts on bus fares as well as other forms of public transportation. This can be helpful for seniors who are able to wait at bus stops and don’t mind longer travel times for getting around town. Public transportation allows your loved one to be active and avoid feeling isolated or confined to the home, which contributes to a greater sense of freedom. If your loved one’s mobility challenges make public transit too difficult, look into whether the city offers door-to-door pickup service and wheelchair-ready vans for qualified disabled seniors. 

Another great alternative is to hire a professional caregiver. For some families, caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times. Luckily, they can rely on professional respite care. Oshkosh, WI, Senior Stride Home Care is a trusted name in respite and hourly care. Our caregivers are available around the clock to assist seniors with bathing, transportation, medication reminders, exercise, and much more, allowing families the time they need to focus on other important responsibilities or just take a break.

Volunteers

Some churches and other nonprofits offer rides free of charge or at a discount for seniors. Your local senior center or social services agency might have a list of organizations offering these senior shuttle services. Certain organizations may offer curb service, while others also offer extra assistance and help seniors to and from the vehicles. 

Rideshare Services

Ridesharing companies provide transportation for fees that are typically lower than taxi fares. They offer pickup service at the door, and rides can usually be scheduled in advance. If your loved one doesn’t live near public transportation routes, is reluctant to ride buses or trains, and needs door or curb pickup, ridesharing is a safe, reliable option.

A trusted professional caregiver can provide your loved one with safe transportation and much more. Senior 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. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Senior Stride Home Care. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call us today.

As seniors didn’t grow up surrounded by cell phones and computers, many are resistant to adopting the latest technology. Despite this hesitancy, having smartphones may benefit seniors for a variety of reasons. Here are several reasons senior care experts encourage elderly people to use smartphones. 

Preserves Memories

Contemporary smartphones contain cameras that are more powerful than some digital cameras. Having a smartphone can give your parent or grandparent an opportunity to take pictures of friends and family and keep treasured moments at their fingertips. 

Offers Reading Assistance

There are plenty of apps available on different mobile platforms for seniors with vision challenges. EyeReader is $1.99 in the Apple app store and can transform your loved one’s iPhone into a giant magnifying glass. This type of app is a perfect tool for seniors who need to be able to read small print on menus or prescription bottles. And if your loved one wants to read books that are only available in small print, these apps ensure he or she can continue to read his or her favorites. 

Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted elderly home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Senior Stride Home Care is here to help.

Promotes Cognitive Health

Certain tasks or activities, like word puzzles, strengthen cognitive health. Unlike a crossword puzzle in the newspaper, a smartphone allows your loved one to play mentally engaging games whenever and wherever he or she wishes. Plus, the increasing levels in certain games, such as AlphaBetty Saga and Words with Friends, will challenge your loved one and encourage a competitive spirit. 

Tracks Health

Instead of using a pen and paper, you and your loved one can track certain bodily functions by phone. If your loved one has hypertension, you can monitor his or her daily blood pressure using an app like Blood Pressure Companion (available on Apple devices), or Blood Pressure Watch (available on Android devices). While a professional caregiver can provide medication reminders, certain apps, including Pill Monitor, Dosecast, and MedCoach, send notifications when it’s time for seniors to take their daily medication. 

Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Oshkosh seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.

Provides Safety Monitoring

The Spantec Fall Detector app is available on Android devices and monitors the phone’s owner for falls, just like a medical alert bracelet. This app works by constantly monitoring the user’s movement in order to tell the difference between “normal” movement and movement that could indicate a fall or injury. If a fall or inactivity is detected, a text is immediately sent to you or another family member’s phone. Likewise, there are several apps that can turn your loved one’s smartphone into a GPS tracking device you can monitor throughout the day. 

Using a smartphone is one of the many ways older adults can enjoy a high quality of life. Professional caregivers can also help seniors make healthy lifestyle choices that boost their health and wellbeing. One of the most challenging tasks of helping an elderly relative age in place safely and comfortably is researching agencies that provide senior care. Oshkosh families can turn to Senior Stride Home Care for reliable, high-quality in-home care for aging adults. We offer 24-hour care for seniors who require extensive assistance, and we also offer respite care for family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties. For reliable in-home care services, contact us today.

There are many good reasons for a family member to keep track of an elderly parent’s medical information. Updated documents enable the caregiver, the senior, and other family members to monitor medications and treatments. The information is also helpful if the senior sees more than one physician. Caregivers can use the following methods to organize vital information. 

Compile a List of Medications

It’s a good idea to create a database of your loved one’s medications. Include the dosage, the date prescribed, why the drug was prescribed, and how often the medication needs to be refilled. Add possible adverse reactions or side effects as well. The information should also display the name of the prescribing physician and the pharmacy. The database can be created on a personal computer, and a printed copy should be taken to each medical appointment. Portable laptops and tablets are other options worth considering. 

Preparing a list of medications can be a difficult task, especially if you have other important duties to tend to. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional senior home care, Senior Stride Home Care should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults address their health issues and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.

Start a Notebook

Write progress notes during medical appointments along with any visible changes in health or medication side effects. A section in the notebook can be used to record routine vital signs. You can also create separate sections to make notes for each physician or therapist seen. The notebook can be used to write down questions or concerns. Leave plenty of space to write down answers given by health care providers. 

Create a Medical Information Folder

Create a folder to store a list of your loved one’s current medications, treatments, and lab reports. The information provides a clear medical history and crucial details family members can use to monitor medical conditions and treatments. By regularly reviewing and updating the information in the folder, you can help your loved one’s physicians get a better picture of the effectiveness of treatment or the need for a change in therapy. 

Attending regular doctor’s appointments is just one of the many ways aging adults can boost their wellbeing. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly home care. Oshkosh, WI, Senior Stride Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Maintain Copies of All Legal Documents

You must also keep copies of insurance policies, powers of attorney, advance directives, and other pertinent information in the event of a doctor’s appointment, hospitalization, or medical emergency. 

Use Online Websites

Many websites enable family members to keep track of their loved ones’ medical information and offer a convenient way to keep all the information in one location. These sites offer calendars for keeping track of appointments and pages for entering vital signs, vaccinations, and medications. Users can also enter emergency contacts, physician details, and pharmacy information. Many sites enable users to enter laboratory test results and imaging studies along with medications and treatments. When necessary, the information can also be sent to a health care provider. 

Caring for older adults with serious health issues can take a toll on a caregiver’s health. Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Oshkosh families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Senior Stride Home. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. Call us today to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.

Many older adults experience balance issues, which may be related to musculoskeletal conditions or other issues. Here are some of the most common reasons seniors lose their balance. 

Inner Ear Disturbance

Good balance is crucial to daily life. It lets people walk with ease, climb stairs, sit down, stand up, and reach for objects on the floor and on the highest shelves. When seniors start to lose their balance, ordinary daily activities may become more difficult. For aging adults, inner ear disturbances are one of the primary causes of poor balance. Inside the ear is the vestibular system, which can become infected due to respiratory issues or viral infections. The vestibular system, also known as the labyrinth, is directly connected to the sense of balance. When it’s not working optimally, it can cause poor balance and vertigo. If seniors complain of dizziness as well as poor balance, it may be due to an inner ear disturbance. 

Seniors with balance issues often find it difficult to manage everyday activities. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable senior care. Families trust Senior Stride Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.

High or Low Blood Pressure

When seniors experience poor balance and dizziness, it could be due to suboptimal blood pressure. Seniors may feel lightheaded, faint, and disoriented when their blood pressure gets too low, or they may experience a spinning sensation when their blood pressure gets too high. To combat balance issues related to low blood pressure, seniors should stay hydrated, eat small meals throughout the day, and take care when sitting or standing. Seniors with high blood pressure, on the other hand, can increase their balance by reducing sodium intake and getting regular exercise. 

Medications

Many seniors take multiple prescription medications every day. Medications can cause dizziness, blurred vision, and vertigo. If your loved one has noticed a change in his or her balance since starting a new medication, do some research. You may find that dizziness is a common side effect of the prescription. If so, consider asking the doctor whether there’s an alternative your loved one could try. 

Loss of Muscle Strength

The muscles and bones weaken with age. When combined with a loss of joint flexibility, which can be caused by inactivity or arthritis, seniors develop balance issues. To reverse the effects of aging on the muscles and bones, older adults should exercise regularly and focus on activities that promote muscle growth, which include walking, swimming, and weight training exercises. Seniors may also want to try exercises specifically designed to enhance balance, like yoga and tai chi. 

Older adults who need help exercising should consider professional in-home care. Oshkosh 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.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Many seniors don’t get an adequate amount of vitamin D. The vitamin is crucial for bone and muscle health, but it’s naturally obtained via sun exposure rather than via food. Seniors who don’t spend a lot of time outside may have a deficiency, which leads to weakened bones and muscles. Aging adults who suspect they need an extra dose of vitamin D in their diets should talk to their doctors about supplementation. 

Caring for seniors with mobility issues can be a challenging task. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Oshkosh, WI, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Senior Stride Home Care. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. If you need professional care for your loved one, reach out to one of our Care Managers today at 920-717-1767.

Seniors sometimes feel bored, which has the potential to contribute to depression, stress, agitation, anxiety, and even cognitive decline. However, doing certain activities can stave off boredom. Prevent boredom by keeping your aging loved one’s general interests and limitations in mind as you consider the activity suggestions mentioned below. 

Art-Based Activities

Drawing, painting, making pottery, woodworking, and other creative and artistic activities stimulate multiple parts of the brain, including areas that help with concentration and focus. Art-based activities also promote calmness and relaxation. Encourage your loved one to experiment with a variety of mediums and techniques until he or she finds something interesting and motivating.

Crafty Creations

Creative crafts such as scrapbooking, knitting, quilting, and creating purposeful items with recycled materials can fine-tune mental focus and stimulate parts of the brain responsible for creative thinking and pattern recognition. Such activities can also help with manual dexterity and concentration. 

Redecorating

Aging adults can keep mental planning and cognitive skills sharp by simply redecorating. From making creative wall art and picking out new drapes to figuring out how to rearrange furniture, there are many ways older adults can feel useful and productive while redecorating favorite rooms. 

Cooking & Baking

Activities of this nature present opportunities to explore healthy variations of longtime favorites to get an added nutritional boost. These are also inherently social activities that can give seniors a chance to share recipes with grandchildren or bond with family caregivers.

A professional caregiver can help your loved one work in the kitchen safely. Senior 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.

Card & Board Games

Card and board games can be more than just time fillers for seniors. Activities of this nature can boost both motor and cognitive skills and encourage socialization. The short-term memory skills often needed for most card and board games may even ward off dementia. 

Music-Related Activities

Multiple studies suggest music benefits seniors by promoting relaxation, lowering stress, and sharpening recollection abilities and other memory-based skills. From singalongs and musical chairs to playing instruments and exercising to a pleasant beat, there are many options with music-based activities for aging adults. 

Walking

Walking boosts circulation, naturally eases pain by increasing the production of “feel-good” hormones called endorphins, and keeps aging bones and joints healthy. It’s also a great activity that can be done as a solo effort, with a friend, or with a cherished pet. Additionally, it’s an excellent way for aging adults to interact with neighbors. 

Prolonged or frequent bouts of boredom can result in mental, emotional, and physical challenges for aging adults, but they don’t have to handle them alone. In Oshkosh, homecare agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Senior Stride Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.

Swimming

Seniors with mobility issues can enjoy many of the benefits associated with walking by swimming instead. Flotation devices and other pool accessories can help aging adults do other water-based activities, including water walking and water yoga. 

Yoga

Speaking of yoga, it’s a senior-friendly activity that can be done practically anywhere once the basic techniques are learned. Increased mental clarity, better posture, and more restful sleep are just some of the numerous benefits associated with yoga for seniors. 

Hobbies

Hobbies have the potential to provide numerous physical and mental benefits for aging adults. For instance, options like golf and tennis can be physically stimulating, while activities such as stamp and coin collecting can stimulate the brain. 

If your loved one usually relies on you to alleviate boredom but you need a break now and then, consider having a professional caregiver take over for you. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Oshkosh, WI, Senior Stride Home Care can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Senior Stride Home Care. Reach out to one of our compassionate Care Managers today at 920-717-1767.

Most seniors today have a desire to maintain their independence, age in place in the homes they know and love, and stay as vital and productive as possible. These are certainly healthy and beneficial goals to have later in life, but many older adults also need some help with daily and recurring tasks and other aspects of life to achieve such goals. The good news is there are some things that can make life simpler for older adults, including the suggestions offered below. 

1. Home Safety Adjustments

According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the top cause of nonfatal hospital admissions for seniors. Fortunately, there are some things that can make your senior loved one’s home safer to reduce this risk. Commonly recommended home safety items for older adults include: 

• Corner guards for furniture 
• Grip bars for the bathroom 
• Reachers or grippers to make it easier to get things from higher shelves without the need to use a stepstool 
• Ramps and/or stair lift devices 
• Walk-in bathtubs

2. Meal Delivery Services

Seniors need a steady influx of essential nutrients to maintain optimal health while aging. However, some older adults find it difficult to cook healthy meals on a regular basis. If this is an issue for your loved one, consider a meal delivery service. Specifically, look for a company that offers senior-focused meals that are both delicious and nutritious. 

A professional caregiver can be a wonderful resource if your loved one needs help preparing nutritious meals. Living alone at home in the golden years can present a few unique challenges. Trust homecare professionals to help your senior loved one maintain a higher quality of life while he or she lives with an illness and performs the daily tasks of living. 

3. Medication Organizers or Reminders

On average, seniors fill nine to thirteen prescriptions per year. If your loved one normally takes multiple medications, medication organizer devices can help him or her reduce the risk of forgetting to take pills or accidentally taking too many doses. Another option is a medication reminder app that provides vocal or text reminders when it’s time to take meds. 

4. Senior Transportation Services

Some older adults have mobility issues or other health concerns that make it difficult or impossible for them to drive anymore. However, many seniors are uncomfortable with constantly calling on family members or friends when they need to go somewhere, which could contribute to increased isolation and other issues. Senior transportation services allow older adults to safely get out and about on their own schedules to do things like shop for groceries, go to doctors’ appointments, or simply visit parks or other places in the area. 

Oshkosh senior 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.

5. Senior-Friendly Tablets, Laptops, & Keyboards

Contrary to popular belief, many older adults don’t have an aversion to technology. In fact, many seniors are more than willing to explore what’s available online and stay engaged with apps and social media. However, some older adults have a difficult time with typing or clearly seeing what’s on smaller screens. Some of the things that can help with such problems include: 

• Senior-friendly tablets or e-readers with larger screens 
• Large-screen laptops with adjustable font options 
• Smartphones with larger buttons spaced out a bit more to make typing easier 
• Large-print keyboards

6. In-Home Care

It’s not always possible for family members to provide assistance for an aging loved one and juggle their own needs and responsibilities at the same time. If this is a dilemma you face, explore options with in-home care. Home care is a cost-effective and convenient way for your loved one to receive the level of care and assistance needed while still being able to remain at home. 

Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Senior Stride Home Care, a trusted provider of respite care Oshkosh seniors can depend on. To create a comprehensive in-home care plan for your loved one, call us at 920-717-1767 today.

As much as you enjoy spending time with your senior loved one, you cannot always be with him or her. Your loved one may need to spend some time in a hospital or rehabilitation facility, or you may have to leave town for a while to tend to other important matters. One of the best ways to make your loved one feel special is to prepare a care package for him or her. Here are a few items you can add to the care package. 

1. Books

Aging adults tend to feel bored more often than their younger counterparts. By adding books, cards, or crossword puzzles to the care package, you can help your loved one stave off boredom and keep his or her mind sharp. Make sure to look for books and crossword puzzles in large print if your loved one has impaired vision.

2. Snacks

If your loved one cannot go out to buy groceries, consider including snacks in his or her care package. Cookies, candy, fruits, nuts, and other similar items make perfect options for snacks. Avoid items that will spoil easily or need to be refrigerated, and consider whether or not your loved one has special dietary needs, such as sugar-free snacks for diabetics.

If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Senior Stride Home Care, a trusted provider of home care service. 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.

3. Photos

When you take photos of yourself or your kids, you probably post them on social media. However, your loved one may not have a Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram account. If the two of you live far apart, your loved one probably misses seeing you and watching your children grow up. Make sure to include family photos in your care package so your loved one can see them. If your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, you can also include his or her childhood photos in the care package. Going through old photographs can help your loved one recall memories. 

4. Nightwear

Your loved one might appreciate robes, slippers, pajamas, or cozy nightgowns to sleep in. Consider adding nightwear to the care package to ensure your loved one is warm and comfortable. Avoid buying garments that might feel too tight or itchy.

5. Personal Hygiene Items

These items are also excellent additions to a care package, and they may range from necessities like soap and shampoo to fun items such as perfumed lotion and cosmetics. Find out what your loved one’s favorite brands are, or consider treating your parent to a premium brand he or she wouldn’t usually buy.

If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Senior Stride Home Care, a leading provider of live-in and respite care. Oshkosh seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable respite caregivers.

6. Music Options

Listening to music can bring a smile to your loved one’s face and boost his or her emotional health. Consider purchasing an inexpensive iPod and adding your loved one’s favorite songs to it. You can also buy a basic tablet for $100 or less and add music apps such as Spotify or Pandora. 

Receiving a care package can boost a senior’s mood, but it’s also important for older adults to have regular interaction with other people. If your loved one needs more opportunities for socialization in his or her life, a professional caregiver is the perfect solution. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of senior home care. Oshkosh families can rely on Senior Stride Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Call one of our Care Managers at 920-717-1767 to learn about our customized in-home care plans.

The activities of daily living (ADLs) are the essential tasks people complete each day to maintain healthy lives. As they get older, it may become increasingly challenging for seniors to handle these important daily tasks, and they may need assistance with completing the activities of daily living on their own. Learn more about ADLs and why they’re so essential for your aging loved one’s physical and mental wellbeing.

Eating

At its most basic level, this fundamental ADL involves being able to feed yourself, chew, and swallow food. More broadly, it includes being able to prepare nutritious meals and snacks for yourself. Proper nutrition is essential for seniors to prevent a variety of health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Aging adults with mobility limitations or chronic health issues may have difficulty with this ADL, and family caregivers can help their loved ones by taking care of grocery shopping and preparing meals their loved ones can store in the fridge or freezer and reheat later. 

Helping your loved one plan and prepare nutritious meals is one of the many types of support an in-home caregiver can provide. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable in-home care. Oshkosh, WI, families trust Senior Stride Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.

Dressing

In addition to being able to put clothes on and take them off, dressing involves choosing clothing that’s appropriate for the current weather conditions and anticipated daily activities. Aging adults should be able to manage zippers, buttons, and other kinds of clothing fasteners without assistance. If you see your parent start to wear the same items of clothing for several days, it may be due to a decrease in his or her dexterity and flexibility. If your loved one has these types of issues, he or she can benefit from clothing options that are easier to manage, such as slip-on shoes, pants with elastic waistbands instead of zippers, and shirts with magnetic closures instead of buttons. Elderly people with serious balance or coordination challenges may need additional assistance with dressing themselves.

Bathing

Personal hygiene is vital for a senior’s health. Regularly bathing and maintaining good hygiene habits (including nail and hair hygiene) are essential for aging adults to avoid a variety of health issues, such as skin infections. If your parent is failing to practice good bathing and hygiene habits, consult his or her physician to determine if there’s a physical cause. If your loved one is concerned about falling in the bathroom, consider hiring a professional caregiver to help your loved one bathe, wash his or her hair, and get in and out of the tub or shower safely. 

When considering at-home care, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits.

Continence

An independent senior should be able to control his or her bowels and bladder. It’s not uncommon for an aging adult to experience occasional incontinence, but it must be addressed so it doesn’t become a serious health issue that could impact a senior’s ability to age in place. Although incontinence can be a sensitive topic, it’s essential to address it with your loved one. If your senior parent is experiencing regular incontinence, he or she may need assistance with staying clean and changing his or her clothes after accidents.

Toileting

Being able to use the bathroom without help is one of the most essential ADLs. Aging adults should be able to get to the toilet, use it, and clean themselves after they use it. Bathrooms can be hazardous and challenging to navigate for seniors, and your loved one may need assistance to use the restroom safely. If your parent is nervous about going to the bathroom alone, requires help to get up and down from the toilet safely, or needs to go often, consider hiring a caregiver to provide the support your loved one needs. 

Mobility

Being mobile means a senior is able to get out of bed on his or own and begin the day without a great deal of difficulty. Essentially, your loved one should be able to get around the home without needing constant physical assistance. When your loved one is mobile, he or she is better able to preserve his or her strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination. Whether your parent is able to ambulate independently or needs the assistance of a mobility aid, such as a walker or cane, he or she should remain as mobile as possible. 

If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Oshkosh, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Senior Stride Home Care, 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. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call at 920-717-1767 today.