It’s been a tough year for older individuals, especially those living alone. The same can be said for their younger family members, many of which have been worried about their health and wellbeing.
If this describes your situation, then hopefully the vaccine has triggered a sense of optimism. With that said, many concerns we have about our older relatives will continue long after the pandemic is over. The following are five tips for those who want to worry less about their elderly loved ones:
Find senior home care services
Many people with older loved ones don’t have the time to give them the care needed. If this describes your situation, see if they’d be interested in having a home health aide provide the care they need on a daily or weekly basis. Finding top-notch senior home care in NYC and other major cities is no sweat. Furthermore, most home health services are covered by Medicare, meaning it’s not a financial burden for you or your loved one.
Buy them a medical alert system
We’ve all seen the commercials on television. I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!. It turns out those personal emergency response systems come in handy when someone is seriously hurt while home alone. Knowing your older relative has a way to contact first responders in the event of an accident is one of the best ways to worry less about their wellbeing. Best of all, these systems are reasonably priced, making them a cost-effective solution as much as a practical one.
Schedule weekly visits
Now that everyone over the age of 16 can get vaccinated, this summer will be when we all get to see our loved ones for the first time in over a year. When it comes to our older relatives, let’s make a point to see them more often going forward. Visiting once or twice per week is not only a great way to check in on them, it’s providing them meaningful and enriching social contact. A few hours out of your week can mean so much to an older relative, why not stop by to catch up and checkup?
Help set up a webcam
If it’s hard to see your older loved ones every week, consider making up the difference with virtual visits over webcam. Digital cameras and computers come reasonably priced these days, and set up is so simple if they can’t do it themselves, you’ll have no problem doing it yourself. That way, if they have any issues and need help, or you have concerns and want to check in on them, the webcam provides an accessible portal for doing so within a matter of minutes, no matter where you are at the time.
Discuss assisted living options
Often the best solution for worrying less about older loved ones is having them move into an assisted living facility. However, that requires their willingness to do so and their ability to do so from a financial point of view. Some are more able and willing than others. If the option is available and seems to make the most sense, consider discussing it with your older relative. There are many retirement communities to choose from, giving them plenty of freedom to find the right one to suit their needs.
The pandemic has been hard on all of us, but especially older folks. It’s only natural to worry ourselves sick about the older people we love most. However, rather than worry about it, let’s do something about it.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind