Strategies for Elders Who Want to Live at Home

Does your elderly parent want to live at home? If the answer is yes, they are not the only ones. In fact, over 80 percent of older adults said they would prefer to live at home if given the opportunity. The term for this living arrangement is aging in place.

As wonderful as it would be to have your parent live in their home for as long as they can, there are several factors that have to be taken into consideration. One of them being whether or not professional caregivers will need to be hired to care for your loved one, as well as provide companionship for them. If this is an option your loved one would like, here are a few strategies that will help the elder get what they wanted.

• Make the home safer. Unless you have mobility limitations, you probably do not realize how dangerous a typical home can be. Having a few items on the floor can cause your loved one to end up in the hospital due to a fall. Since seniors have less bone mass than younger adults, they are also more prone to breaking a hip during these falls. You can make it safer by removing any loose rugs, clearing all clutter from the floor, adding brighter lighting throughout the home and in the hallways, and installing grab bars in the bathroom.
• Frequently communicate with their medical team. Whether you are assisting with the caregiving responsibilities or are just there for moral support, it is important you are in the loop with the elder’s health. Stay in constant communication with their doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, home care provider, and any others who will be spending a great deal of time with your parent. Also, if you notice any problems with your loved one’s health, make sure this is communicated with this team.
• Think about long-term care insurance. Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance that is specifically developed to cover most of the costs associated with long-term care services. Most policies include a variety of therapies (speech, occupational, physical, etc.), skilled nursing care, personal care assistance, and domestic services.
• Research local services. If your loved one will be living alone, it is important they know what local services are available to them. This includes transportation, meals, and social events. An experienced in-home care provider can also be hired to provide all of these services for a small fee.

These techniques will allow your loved one to live in their home for as long as they are comfortable doing so.

If you or an aging loved one are considering caregiver services in Villanova, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860.