Elderly care without family? 4 ways to get the best care

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Elderly care without family

Introduction

One thing that makes us all happy is putting smiles on the faces of our loved ones, especially the aged ones who most often can need special care. However, at times, time to specially cater for them may not be available.  You now have to contend with more working hours, live in different states, in some cases, different countries and continents.

Admittedly, the recent mass exodus of Nigerians abroad in search of greener pastures has negatively impacted the quality of life of most aged parents, as they are now being left behind to fend for themselves.

It is common to find aged parents or grandparents living alone and unattended in many Nigerian homes. The story is not much different in other climes. Other times, it is not about time, but rather the ability to properly take care of them. Aged people sometimes need special care and attention, which their family members may not be able to give them due to other pressing engagements.

This then begs the question, how do you get the best elderly care when you cannot do it yourself or when your loved ones are no longer around to help?

In this article, I will be sharing with you, the four (4) best ways you can care for aged parents and loved ones, that cover all the physical, emotional, and medical needs at that age.

Why do you need to care for aged loved ones?

We find a special joy in putting smiles on our parent’s faces,  and it’s an opportunity to give back some of the care they’ve given us over the years. Caring for elderly loved ones can also be a way to show our children how important family is.

At some stage in their lives, they need personal assistance, especially while managing some old age-related illnesses and some terminal diseases that require proper monitoring and attention.

There are many reasons why we should care for our elderly loved ones. One of them is because they have taken care of us when we were younger, and now it’s our turn to return the favour. Another reason is that as we get older, we will need someone to take care of us too, and it would be nice to know that there’s someone who cares for us.

Caring for elderly loved ones can sometimes be difficult, especially if they are resistant to getting help. However, it’s important to remember that they need our help and that we should do whatever we can to make their lives easier.

4 ways to get them the best care

As we get older, we often find ourselves in the position of caring for elderly parents or grandparents. While many of us are fortunate enough to have family nearby to help with this important task, there are also a growing number of elderly people who do not have this support. If you find yourself in this situation, it is important to know that you are not alone. There are several resources available to help you provide the best possible care for your loved ones, and I will be sharing four (4) important ways you can achieve this

Get home elderly care services

One option is to look into in-home elderly care services. These services can provide everything from basic assistance with activities of daily living to more comprehensive medical care.  One benefit of in-home care is that it can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. Another benefit is that it allows seniors to age in their most preferred and comfort.

If you are considering in-home care for a loved one, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you will want to make sure that the care provider is licensed to provide this service. Second, you will want to ask about the care provider’s experience, service options, especially in caring for seniors with dementia or other cognitive impairments that you may want to manage. Finally, you will want to get a sense of the care provider’s personality and whether they will be a good fit for your loved one.

Provide them with companionship

As we all know, getting someone to talk to improves one’s health significantly at that stage in life. One of the most important things you can do for an elderly loved one is to provide them with companionship. As we age, we often become isolated and lonely. This can lead to depression, anxiety, and a decline in overall health.

If you live far away from your elderly parents or grandparents, you may not be able to provide them with companionship regularly. However, there are some ways to stay connected, even from a distance. You can set up regular video calls, send care packages, or have someone check in on them regularly.

Several services can provide companionship for the elderly.  For instance, Rockgarden Homecare Agency provides comprehensive companionship care right in the home of your loved ones, and it is an essential part of healthy living services. 

Monitor their health conditions

Many people who have older parents that they care for often miss out on this vital part, adequate health monitoring. This can be attributed to the fact that once your aged parent or loved ones do not complain about any pain or discomfort, we often assume that they are fine.  This way, you can easily miss out on opportunities to prevent several age-related chronic diseases that early detection can help prevent.

Routine and detailed monitoring of all changes, both big and small, in your elderly parent’s or loved one’s health is therefore very important. This includes changes in mood, appetite, weight, energy levels, sleep patterns, bowel or urinary habits, and skin condition.

You should also pay attention to any new aches and pains, as well as any changes in mobility. If you notice any changes, be sure to bring them up with your loved one’s doctor.

In addition to monitoring your loved one’s health, it is also important to monitor their cognitive health. This can be done by observing their ability to communicate, remember things, and make decisions. If you notice any changes in cognitive function, it is important to discuss them with a doctor. The best part is, if you are using a Home Care service, like the one provided by the Rockgarden, caregivers are trained to help you monitor all this, and provide medical feedback where required.

Encourage them to stay active

As we age, it is natural for our activity levels to decline. However, it is important to encourage seniors to stay active, both mentally and physically. There are several benefits of staying active as we age, including improved mental health, increased lifespan, and reduced risk of chronic diseases.

There are several ways to encourage seniors to stay active. One is to offer to do activities together. For instance, you could go for walks together, play card games, or do puzzles. Another way to encourage seniors to stay active is to provide them with resources, such as a gym membership or a list of local senior-friendly activities.

If you are not able to encourage your loved one to stay active regularly, several services can help. For instance, Rockgarden Homecare Agency offers several services designed to help seniors stay active, both mentally and physically. There is a special physical therapy services routine for your loved ones which are personalized based on their specific need after a detailed assessment. 

What can you do to get them the best care

With years of experience providing health care to the older population, getting professional help is quite critical if you want to ensure that your loved ones are receiving the best care possible.

Whether or not there are underlying health conditions, it is always best to plan special care for them, as this has been proven to be more efficient. Most times, the cost of these services is not as high as we often perceive, perhaps, you are more likely to spend more when you hire random people than getting professionals to do it for you.

We cannot even downplay the importance of safety when it comes to leaving your loved ones in the hands of a total stranger that you can not trust, which is always the case when you do not go through a standardized home care service provider like the Rockgarden Homecare agency.

Conclusion

It is important to take care of aged loved ones for several reasons, among which are personal satisfaction and happiness that you can always put a smile on their face by providing them with good care when they needed it most. Should you have more questions on the care you are currently providing and how you can improve them, you can now speak with Rockgarden medical and caregiver team for free. Click here now

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