7 Ways You Can Improve An Elderly Person's Quality of Life |
Posted: April 1, 2019 |
As we get older the things we see as quality of life issues can become obscured by daily cares but there are ways you can make a difference. 1. Choose the right care If your elderly parent has decided that the time has come when they need help with daily care you can help them by sitting down with them and together going through all the care options available. By examining the pros and cons of each option and involving your parent in every part of the decision-making process the type of elderly careyou both choose will be the right one.
2. Watch for signs of depression Depression can unexpectedly strike at times of life-changing events like retirement, moving home or making dramatic changes to a daily routine. It can also be caused by taking certain medications or where there is physical or cognitive decline. Later-life onset of depression is quite common and in older adults can be mistaken for other illnesses or written off as side-effects from medication. Symptoms can include insomnia, fatigue, loss of appetite and listlessness among others so if you suspect depression get them to see a doctor.
3. Maintain family and home connections Studies have shown that elderly people cope with new situations when they stay in contact with what is familiar to them. Live-in care can help enormously by allowing a person to stay in their own home. Find out more at the Live-in Care Hub.
4. Encourage their minds! Help them to stay mentally active by getting them to read books and magazines, doing crossword or Sudoku puzzles or writing down their memoirs. Encourage them to learn a new skill or pick up old hobbies. Studies have proven that when you keep mentally active your overall wellbeing improves.
5. Encourage them to be physically active They say a sharp mind and a healthy body go hand in hand and there is certainly plenty of evidence for this. There are a whole host of good reasons to keep moving and these include improvements in blood pressure and heart health, improved sleep quality and reduction in anxiety to name just a few. Make sure you talk to your parent’s doctor before starting an exercise routine especially if there are any medical issues.
6. Allow them to feel useful Everyone likes to feel that they still have a purpose in life and that they are not ‘becoming a burden’ and this applies especially to people in their senior years. Make your elderly relative feel wanted by asking for their help in everyday tasks like meal preparation or gardening. Ask for their advice with car maintenance, letter writing or tech matters to allow them pride in their knowledge.
7. Spend time with them We all want to feel part of a family and to take part in family events. Even if your relative is in care they can still attend family gatherings or go on days out and shopping trips with you. Companionship is worth its weight in gold.
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