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Creating a Supportive Space for Seniors with Dementia

Seniors with dementia are just as likely as other aging adults to want to age in place for as long as they can. Family caregivers may worry that this is a difficult goal to reach. Aging in place with dementia is a lot easier to do when seniors have a supportive environment in which to do so. Alzheimer’s care providers can help families to determine what changes need to be made in order to create the most supportive and safe space for seniors with dementia to age in place.

Encourage Physical Movement

When seniors with dementia consciously choose to stay as physically active as they can, they’re more likely to experience better overall physical and mental health. Maintaining strength and flexibility also makes it easier for them to avoid other issues, like potential falls. Talk with medical providers to determine what the right boundaries are with physical activity.

Encourage a Healthy Diet

Eating well supports overall health as well and seniors with dementia benefit from a balanced diet. Cooking may no longer be easy for them to handle on their own, however, so home care providers who understand the challenges that seniors with dementia face can be a huge help. Seniors stay safer and can help out as much as they are able to for as long as they would like. They also get to eat delicious meals and snacks that keep their brains and bodies fueled.

Create Space for Hobbies and Activities

Keeping their brains active is just as important as physical movement for seniors with dementia. Making time and setting up routines for hobbies, music, art, and any other activities seniors enjoy matters so very much. Having the opportunity to try new things can help to slow down the effects of dementia.

Make Social Interaction Easier

Seniors with dementia need social interactions just as much as other aging adults do. The problem is often that they can feel embarrassed about the changes they’re experiencing or their memory issues make social interactions awkward. Alzheimer’s care providers offer support with daily life, but they also spend time with seniors and interact with them easily. They can also help seniors with dementia to go to events that they wouldn’t otherwise have attended because of transportation needs, further supporting their social engagement.

Get Help from Alzheimer’s Care Providers

Family caregivers often have so much to learn when it comes to helping aging adults with dementia live the lives they want to live. Alzheimer’s care providers have a wealth of experience helping seniors continue to have support while also remaining as independent as possible. Professional caregivers can help families to navigate the challenges that they face.

Seniors with dementia are often most comfortable remaining in their own homes for as long as they can. Aging in place with the help of Alzheimer’s care providers allows seniors with dementia to get the help that they need whenever they need it the most. They also interact with care providers who understand exactly what they’re going through as they continue to age in place with dementia.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s care in Moraga, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.

7 Tips to Keep Your Elderly Loved One Safe at Home

Not all family caregivers live with their aging parents. Many live nearby or within driving distance but may not see their elderly loved ones every day. They might have routine visits and multiple phone calls but there are a lot of hours in the day when no one is home with their loved one. If your senior is still living independently in her home, you can help her take some preventative steps to keep it safe and add in extra security and wellness checks. By making some minor changes around the home, as well as relying on support from home care providers, your loved one can remain in her home while staying safe and happy.

Seven Tips To Create a Safe Environment for Your Loved One

  1. If your loved one is living alone in a large home, one thing to review is how much of that home she uses. You might consider shutting off certain rooms or even helping her get rid of some items in the home she no longer uses. A simpler home allows her to focus on maintaining what she needs and prevents her from overextending herself physically.
  2. Set up safety features around the home. You can help her set how high the water heater can go so she doesn’t scald herself in the bath or while washing dishes. You can also set up an automatic shut-off switch on the stove in case it accidentally gets left on. Don’t forget to make sure she has adequate smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home that are fully charged.
  3. Install supportive features. If your loved one is finding she has less strength in her legs and needs help getting in and out of the bathtub or off the toilet, set up secure grab bars for her. Railings are important for every staircase, as well as adequate lighting.
  4. If she has a medical device, make sure she wears a medical alert bracelet or necklace at all times so if she is not able to communicate her health condition, a trained healthcare provider can easily see what she needs.
  5. Have her wear an alert device that can let others know if she’s fallen or needs emergency help.
  6. Remove tripping hazards. Extended electric cords, old rugs, and uneven flooring can all lead to a trip and fall that could seriously injure your loved one.
  7. Talk about what she should do and who she should call during each type of emergency and make sure she has the phone numbers she needs within easy access. Talk about weather emergencies, the power going out, a crime being committed, or a medical emergency. Giving her the tools before it happens can help her stay more calm when an emergency happens.

Home Care Can Help Keep Your Elderly Loved One Safe

If you don’t live near your elderly loved one, having a home care team that visits regularly is a great way to help your loved one stay safe in her home. A home care provider can help her with household chores that are too physically difficult for her, assist with food safety, and provide a second set of eyes to let you know if there are any concerns about your loved one’s living situation.

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in San Ramon, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.