Your parents are getting up there in years. You’ll need to think about how you can take care of them in their old age. Do you have the insurance to arrange at-home care, or are you going to have to handle things yourself? 

How are you going to feed them and make sure they’re taking their medications when you’re not there? What modifications are you going to have to make to their home to keep them safe? 

We’ve got a few elderly care tips that can answer these questions and more. Check out this guide to learn how to keep your loved ones happy and healthy.

Visit When You Can 

One of the biggest sources of elderly depression is isolation. That’s why if you don’t provide 24-hour at-home care for your loved one, you need to drop in on them on a normal basis. 

Even coming over long enough to be sure your aging loved ones are taking their medication will have a huge impact. You can also check to see if they need any cleaning done. 

Do their laundry, make little repairs to broken appliances, take a look in their pantry and do a grocery run if need be, check their mail, water their plants, and feed their pets.

Arrange At-Home Care

For many seniors, being able to stay in their own houses is much better for them than moving to a nursing home. It allows them to keep a sense of independence. 

That’s why you should arrange at-home elderly care if you can. Making telehealth appointments is much more convenient than trying to get aging adults into a car. 

Hire outside help to assist your loved ones with going to the bathroom, taking their medications, showering, and cooking food. To keep costs at a minimum, the caregiver doesn’t have to stay 24/7. They only need to stick around until you can make it to your parent’s house. 

Keep Up With Their Medications

Your family can’t take their medications if you don’t keep them stocked up. Fill the prescriptions when you notice that they’re running low. 

It can be hard for your aging family to keep their head wrapped around their pill-taking schedule. We recommend picking up an organizer. 

They have small compartments with the days of the week written on them. It makes it more difficult for your loved one to miss a dose of their medicine. 

When their doctor gives them a new prescription, ask them about any side effects. This way, you know what you should be on the lookout for. 

Modify Their Home

You want your parents to be able to stay in their home for as long as possible. The problem is that it can be dangerous unless you make certain modifications. 

Install ramps that they can use to get from room to room in their wheelchair. Putting handrails by the toilet will allow them to get on and off of it. 

You can look here to compare the prices of walk-in showers. If you can’t afford to have on installed, you can put in a handrail to make getting into the bathtub a bit easier. While you’re at it, put non-skid mats in the shower. 

Test their smoke detectors for them when need be. Remove any clutter that you feel like they could trip over. Tape down exposed cords to make them less of a danger. 

Put in sensor lights. This way, when your family gets up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, they’ll be able to see.

Rugs look nice, but they’re a tripping hazard. Take them out of the house. 

Help Them Socialize 

Again, one of the main sources of senior depression is loneliness. Don’t keep your aging loved ones cooped up in their home. Help them get out and stay active. 

Find ways for them to continue participating in their community. Assist them with getting out to meet new friends. They’re going to need the fresh air. 

Handle Their Paperwork 

The older your loved ones get, the harder it’s going to be for them to take care of important paperwork. You’ll have to provide some assistance. 

It’s not easy to bring up the last will and testament conversation, but it’s necessary. Help them keep track of their finances and make a budget. 

Take Care of Yourself 

At the end of the day, you’ve got to take care of yourself. That may force you to be a bit assertive, but sometimes it’s necessary. When you feel like you need a break, ask another family member to take your aging parent to their doctor’s appointment. 

Pay for temporary health care so you can go out and do something that you want to do. Seek out a counselor for yourself if you feel the need. Doing so will prevent you from experiencing burnout and resenting your loved one. 

Keep Them Well Fed 

The last tip we have for you is to make sure your loved one stays well fed. Prepare a few meals in advance and stick them in the freezer. All your parents will have to do is heat the food when they get hungry. 

See if your loved one qualifies for Meals on Wheels or set up with an account for a deliverable meal plan. Doing so will help them stay healthy and keep up with their dietary needs. 

Elderly Care Tips That Will Help You Keep Your Loved One Healthy

As your parent’s age, they’re going to need more help around the house. You want to be able to take care of them either by staying at their house with them or hiring someone else to handle things. 

Both options come with their own challenges. We hope that you’re able to use these elderly care tips to stop yourself from getting overwhelmed. For more tips that will help you stay on top of your loved one’s wellness, visit the Health section of our blog.