Does your senior loved one require assistance for day-to-day activities? If so, they are not alone. In fact, they are just one in 25 million aging Americans relying on people or devices in their everyday routine. Without such assistance, their physical and mental health can be exhausted, lowering their overall quality of life.
To get more involved with your loved one’s routine as they age, do read on to learn more about the daily living activities for seniors and how to support these activities as a caregiver.
Mobility and Movement
Remaining mobile and active is key to achieving better health in anyone’s golden years, regardless of whether your elderly loved one requires assistance to remain physically active or not. Without proper exercise, the elderly are likely to experience physical decline as they reach their mature ages. Furthermore, individuals lacking in physical activity are statistically more susceptible to both physical illnesses (such as heart diseases) and mental illnesses (such as depression).
Joining your loved one in some light exercise is not only a great bonding session, but is also an excellent way to ensure your loved one stays safe while keeping themselves fit! If your loved one has difficulties traveling on foot, you may want to invest in a mobility aid for them. Various types of devices, ranging from canes to wheelchairs, can help to support your loved one, based on their level of ability to walk.
Eating Healthy
As your loved ones age, it becomes harder for them to ensure proper nutrition by themselves. To help, you can get involved with their meal preparations in various ways. For example, you could volunteer to take up meal planning duties for your loved ones, making sure that they receive the nutrients they need in the right portions.
For those with loved ones that require further physical assistance, you may have to be more heavy-handed in your aid. This applies to the elderly that cannot feed themselves or cannot safely use kitchen equipment. In such cases, you may have to feed them or take over cooking and grocery shopping.
Personal Hygiene and Grooming
Some elderly also need support with personal hygiene and grooming. Some examples can be:
- Washing thoroughly in the bath
- Using the toilet and cleaning themselves after
- Controlling their bladder
- Bathroom safety hazards, such as slippery floors
Such problems can lead to self-esteem and confidence issues in the elderly, and it can be frustrating for them to adjust to aging-related bodily changes. Do approach your loved ones with a sense of understanding if they face any of these issues, as it can be quite embarrassing for them.
If bathroom safety hazards are stopping your loved ones from using the bathroom as much as they need to, do look into modifying it into a more senior-friendly space. Some quicker changes include anti-slip floor mats and adding a shower chair.
