We often hear how rather than relocating to an assisted living facility, individuals want to remain active and maintain optimal health in order to remain living in their own home for as long as possible. With a little planning and taking the right steps early, seniors can stay safe and healthy in their homes. Here are five senior home care tips for maintaining independence and wellbeing as you age:
- Falls are a leading cause of hospitalization among seniors. According to the Consumer Product Safety Council, “after the age of 65, six out of ten visits a person will make to the hospital emergency room are a result of a fall in or around the home.” Make sure you know how to secure your home in order to prevent a fall. Complete a fall prevention checklist here or download our free home safety and falls prevention assessment here.
- Have an emergency response system in place. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to senior home care. Peace of mind is crucial. With an emergency response system in place, you know that help is on the way if something were to happen. There are many options for these systems and they can be very unobtrusive, so it should be a consideration for anyone, especially if you have health issues or live alone. A product we believe offers some of the best technology is Wellcore. Contact us if you would like to learn more about Wellcore.
- Use a medication management system. Managing medications and can be a challenge, especially for someone taking multiple medications. Because of advances in medical research and technology, powerful medications are available now more than ever. Taking the right medication, in the proper doses, at the correct time can be critical to maintaining one’s good health and avoiding adverse effects. There are many senior home care options available to help you manage your medications, from a simple weekly pillbox to pre-filled systems such as Accupax as well as electronic systems with reminders. Learn more about medication management assistance options here.
- Call in help for food prep. Good nutrition is vital to good health. Appetite changes may occur with aging and nutrition needs are dependent on your health status, conditions and activity level. Sometimes, seniors who live alone find they are less likely to prepare meals and may eat less. Consider having someone prepare meals, which can be reheated. Ask a friend, family member, or even a part-time senior home care companion to come in and cook a week’s worth of meals. A healthy meal tailored to your diet requirements can be ready in minutes just by reheating in the microwave or perhaps the oven. It’s also nice to be able to enjoy someone’s company while they are there cooking for you, or to go out with you to one of your favorite places to eat as a treat.
- Have an emergency kit handy. Natural and manmade disasters can occur. Be prepared. Not only should you have a disaster prep kit, but also make sure you know all evacuation routes, local shelters and have a game plan in place. Make sure someone you trust has a list of your emergency contacts, needed medications, etc. Learn more about being prepared for hurricanes and other disasters here.
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