Elderly care is an often overlooked aspect of life, but it’s never too early to start thinking about what the future looks like. For those who want to help support their loved ones, here are a few simple tips on how you can do that with ease.
- Be present.
- Provide physical assistance when needed.
- Communicate effectively and respectfully.
- Be aware of potential isolation and loneliness.
- Keep an eye on medications and appointments.
The challenge, as you will see, is that supporting elderly relatives can be time-consuming and take away from quality time that you could spend with them if you weren’t acting as their caregiver all the time.
Table of Contents
1. Be Present
Being present is the heart of elderly care. You need to be available, supportive, and compassionate. This means showing up at medical appointments, making time to listen and understand, and being there for doctor’s visits. Elderly care is about more than just showing up; it’s about being truly present.
The elderly are sometimes reluctant when it comes to outside assistance because it may mean losing a day of relative freedom and autonomy. However, asking them directly to give you something you can easily do for them or offering a small reward when they do well will help facilitate a positive attitude toward your assistance while also making them feel appreciated–and loved–just that much more.
2. Provide physical assistance when needed
You want to give elderly care in a way that doesn’t require them to ask for help or feel like they’re a burden. If they have a difficult time walking on their own, offer to accompany them without asking. If they can no longer drive, volunteer your time and car so you can take them where they need to go.
Support is available in the form of assisted living communities, for example, search senior living St Louis and you will see a range of accommodation providers in St Louis to support the elderly.
3. Communicate effectively and respectfully
When you’re giving elderly care, it’s important that you understand the situation but also acknowledge their feelings. Ask them how they feel about what’s going on and listen to their responses before providing input on your own. This type of awareness and respectful communication can go a long way in showing your loved one that he or she is being taken care of.
4. Be aware of potential isolation and loneliness
Avoid feeling guilty about this situation. If you’re not in their life, it’s important to remember that they still want to be there for you. However, if isolation becomes too much for them, it’s important to recognize it so they have space to think about what they need or want. The best thing you can do is let them know how much they’re loved and respected while also letting them know that all is well – there are no problems.
5. Keep an eye on medications and appointments
Elderly care means more than helping someone who needs assistance. It also means being aware of things like medical issues, appointments, and prescriptions so they don’t fall through the cracks. If they’re able to manage their own pills but you notice some of them have gone missing or expired, call or visit the doctor’s office to make sure there’s not a problem. Also, don’t forget to remind your loved ones about upcoming appointments.
Overall, elderly care is about being there for the people you love in a genuine way that will show them you truly care.
Read also: 4 Tips for Taking Care of Elderly Parents