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.