The older people get, the more they want to find little ways to keep life simple. Doing so can benefit seniors and their caregivers by minimizing how much effort is put into everyday tasks and freeing up time to enjoy life. If your elderly loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt a simpler lifestyle, consider hiring a caregiver.
Oshkosh, Wisconsin, home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
If you aren’t sure where to start to help your loved one simplify his or her life, these tips can help.
Pay Bills Online
If your loved one gets a large amount of mail each day, there may be a way to eliminate some of it by going paperless. Most utilities can be paid online these days, and most banks can send statements via email. Look for other ways to stop your loved one’s mail from piling up on various surfaces throughout the house.
Hire Someone to Do Light Housekeeping
Keeping the floors mopped, the sheets washed, and the shelves dusted can be overwhelming in the senior years. Many family caregivers have their own home to take care of. Consider hiring a professional caregiver to take care of some light housekeeping at your loved one’s house. If you can’t afford a professional, talk to other friends and family members about setting up a rotating schedule.
Eliminate Unnecessary Medications
Most seniors over the age of 65 take several vitamins and prescription medications. Look at what your loved one is taking and ask the doctor if any of it can be eliminated. For example, maybe your loved one was anemic at one time and was taking iron pills twice a day, but his or her blood levels are back to normal. Ask the doctor if your loved one can take just one pill or cut them out completely.
If your elderly loved one requires assistance with medication reminders or other daily activities, consider hiring a caregiver. Oshkosh respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
Take Time to Declutter the House
Clutter tends to build up over time. Take a week or a month and help your loved one sort through everything piled up in the closets, spare rooms, basement, attic, and garage. Decide if it’s necessary for your loved one to hold on to every birthday card he or she has ever received. Clean out old clothes that no longer fit and donate them to charity or have a garage sale.
Downsize
For many seniors, taking care of a home or living alone may be too overwhelming. Many seniors don’t want to spend their golden years cleaning and mowing the lawn. Talk to your loved one about downsizing to a smaller home or apartment if his or her current home is too much to manage. He or she may enjoy moving to a retirement village, which would offer plenty of social options. Your loved one may even want to move in with a relative. Approach the subject carefully so your loved one does not feel pressured into selling a beloved home.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Oshkosh, WI, Senior Stride Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Call us at 920-717-1767 to schedule an in-home consultation or to hire a dedicated caregiver for your senior loved one.