For the elderly, there can be a number of reasons they may begin to experience a lower quality of life and less capability to do the things they enjoy. For example, they may struggle with a lack of mobility, painful conditions, or conditions such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. However, there are a number of ways to help ensure they have a high quality of life and can continue doing the things they want to.
One option is to seek support from a trusted healthcare provider like Conviva Care Center, which specializes in improving the well-being of seniors.
We’ll be covering our top advice for boosting wellbeing of the elderly in this post, so keep reading to find out more.
Mobility Scooters And Powered Wheelchairs
Mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be invaluable tools to help those with reduced mobility to be able to carry on with their day-to-day to life. By encouraging independence and the ability to get around as usual, mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs can help improve the quality of life of the elderly. Greater independence helps to encourage better self-esteem and confidence in their abilities. Although these vehicles help with physically getting from one point to another, they also greatly benefit mental health, reducing the chances of developing mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. There are a wide range of different mobility scooters available, such as folding mobility scooters or those with more storage to help with transporting shopping. You can also find mobility schemes that help with the cost of purchasing a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair. You can request more information online to learn more about the mobility scheme.
Adapting The Home
Adapting the home for the elderly can significantly improve their safety, comfort, and independence. There are many ways you can help ensure the home is optimally adapted for the safety and convenience of an elderly individual. To prevent falls, install adequate lighting throughout the house, especially in hallways and staircases. Place grab bars in bathrooms near toilets and showers, and install handrails along staircases and hallways for added support. Modify bathrooms with walk-in showers, non-slip flooring, and raised toilets. Ensure the bedroom is easily accessible, with adjusted bed height and nightlights within reach. Replace slippery flooring and secure rugs with non-slip options. Consider stairlifts or ramps for safer access to different levels. Lower countertop heights in the kitchen and install pull-out shelves for easier use. Create level entrances with ramps or lifts and widen doorways. Install safety devices like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Clear pathways by removing clutter and arranging furniture accordingly. Seek guidance from professionals or occupational therapists to tailor the adaptations to the specific needs of the elderly individual. Installing an emergency call system is a great way to help make sure an elderly person is safe if they should fall or hurt themselves and are unable to get to a phone. Technology can also be a valuable tool to help encourage independence for the elderly. For example, smart speakers can help make calls, change lighting settings, or adjust the home’s temperature.
Support With Everyday Tasks
Another great way to help make everyday life easier for the elderly is to arrange assistance from care workers. They can help with a variety of tasks and help ensure the person they’re taking care of is kept safe and secure while out and about. Despite what you might think, having a care worker helping them out doesn’t necessarily have to be taking independence away from an elderly person. A good care worker will actually encourage independence as much as possible, and respect the autonomy of the people they care for. Some of the tasks care workers can help with include:
- Cooking
- Cleaning
- Shopping
- Getting to and from daily activities
- Companionship
The benefits of a good care worker go beyond ticking boxes and completing tasks such as cleaning and meal preparation. They are also invaluable as a means of providing communication and mental health support for the elderly to help prevent isolation and developing conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Encouraging Independence
Encouraging independence in the elderly is crucial for promoting their well-being and overall quality of life. Create a supportive environment by ensuring a safe and accessible living space. Introduce and encourage the use of assistive devices tailored to their needs. Support them in maintaining daily living skills and provide opportunities for decision-making and autonomy. Explore transportation options that enable mobility and independence. Foster social engagement and connections with community activities. Introduce and assist with technology usage for communication and access to information. Encourage regular physical activity and engage in activities that stimulate cognitive function. Provide emotional support, active listening, and validation of their feelings. Respect their abilities, preferences, and pace while involving healthcare professionals or therapists to provide guidance and support. By fostering independence, you can empower the elderly to lead fulfilling lives with a sense of autonomy and dignity.
Respecting Their Autonomy
Respecting the autonomy of the elderly is fundamental to preserving their dignity, independence, and sense of self. It involves providing them with information to make informed decisions about their lives and involving them actively in decision-making processes. Collaborative approaches empower them to express their preferences and make choices aligned with their values. Privacy and confidentiality are upheld to honour their personal boundaries. Support and assistance are offered while always respecting their autonomy and promoting self-reliance. Active listening, clear communication, and validation of their experiences are essential in respecting their voices and perspectives. Their consent is respected regarding medical treatments and personal care decisions. The continual assessment ensures that care approaches evolve in line with their changing needs while maintaining their autonomy. Respecting their autonomy validates their individuality, upholds their self-worth, and fosters a sense of empowerment as they age. Make sure you have the consent of an elderly person before making decisions for them. It’s also important to have a professional determine the capacity of an elderly person to make their own decisions if they have conditions such as dementia or learning disabilities.
Assisted Living And Emergency Support
Having emergency support available is a crucial way to help improve the safety and security of the elderly. If an elderly person is at risk of falling and getting stuck or perhaps has a condition such as dementia, this can place them at much greater risk if they’re living alone. Assisted living provides the option of having emergency support on hand day and night to help improve safety. You can also choose to have options such as support from a daily care worker and meal deliveries to their door. Assisted living can provide much-needed peace of mind to the loved ones of an elderly person, knowing they are safe and being taken care of on a daily basis while still maintaining their independence where possible.
For people living in Oklahoma, for example, a pet-friendly Assisted living community in Lawton could be a good place to start. By researching and finding the right assisted living facility, you can help improve the quality of life for an elderly person while also providing peace of mind for yourself.
Supporting Socialisation
Socialisation is incredibly important for the well-being of the elderly, to help with reducing the chances of isolation, depression, or loss of self-esteem. There are multiple ways you can help improve socialisation for the elderly. For example, having a care worker provide daily visits for companionship. You can also support them by helping them with visiting friends, family, and groups you think they would enjoy. Using technology such as video calls can also help improve socialisation for those that struggle to get out of the house, or want to speak to family and friends that live far away.
