Because seniors today are living longer than ever, it’s important to think about the help they might need in the future and make the appropriate long-term plans. If your senior loved one needs help handling an illness or assistance with tasks around the house, here are some of the most important steps your family will need to take to meet his or her long-term home care needs.
Make the Necessary Living Arrangements
Figuring out where your loved one will live as he or she ages is an important factor in planning for long-term care. Decide if your parent will age in place, stay at your home, or move in with another relative. It’s a good idea to discuss these plans with your loved one as well as other members of your household because everyone deserves to be comfortable with the living arrangements. Your loved one may want to continue living at home instead of moving. If the doctor approves, you should consider this option. Aging in place can help your loved one remain independent and lower the risk of anxiety and depression, which can also prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other serious conditions often caused by stress. 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 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. Home Care Assistance is here to help.Modify the Home
Whether your loved one moves in with you and requires help from a caregiver or decides to remain at home and only needs part-time assistance, the home of choice must be equipped to handle your parent’s care needs, especially if your loved one has a chronic or age-related disease such as dementia or osteoporosis. You may need to rearrange the furniture to allow your loved one to move throughout the home with ease, and you may also need to remove throw rugs to reduce the risk of falling. Bones become more fragile with age, and a broken bone could lead to a more serious health concern. Other changes you may need to make for safety reasons include:- Installing grab bars in the bathroom and shower
- Lowering toilet seats
- Building wheelchair-accessible ramps
- Installing a shower seat
- Keeping sharp objects out of reach
- Adding adequate lighting, including nightlights and high-wattage bulbs