It’s very common for seniors who want to live independently to say they don’t need or want help. Typically, it’s because they’re afraid that they will lose their independence if they admit needing help.

If you have tried to talk to your parent about getting help and they are not willing to talk about it, you can use these tips to start a conversation about elder care.

What Is Elder Care?

Before you talk to your parent about elder care, make sure you understand what it is. Elder care is a service for seniors. A trained and experienced care provider will visit your parent on a set schedule to help them with household chores, shopping, laundry, errands, and more. Elder care is designed to help seniors keep their independence.

It’s a good idea to have some information about elder care and what care providers do so that you can show your senior parent the benefits. You should also do these things to make the conversation more productive:

Choose the Right Time and Place

Don’t bring it up when your parent is stressed, tired, or in a rush. Choose a calm, quiet time when you can talk without distractions. It’s best to have the conversation at home or another place where they feel safe and comfortable. You want them to feel relaxed, not ambushed or pressured.

Many seniors are the most alert and focused from about mid-morning to mid-afternoon, so that would be the best time to talk about elder care.

Focus on Safety and Health

Instead of saying what they can’t do anymore, talk about how elder care can help keep them safe and healthy. For example, you can say, “I worry about you slipping in the shower,” or “I noticed the kitchen is getting harder for you to manage.” Make it clear that this is about caring, not controlling. Show them you want what’s best for their well-being.

Listen to Their Concerns

Your parent might be afraid, angry, or just unsure about letting someone new into their life. Let them talk. Ask open-ended questions like, “What worries you most about getting help at home?” and really listen to their answers. Don’t interrupt or try to “win” the conversation. Sometimes, just being heard makes someone more open to change.

If your parent is afraid of losing their independence, reassure them that that you don’t want them to move. Let them know that you want them to have elder care so that they can continue living at home, but safely.

Start Small

You don’t have to jump into full-time elder care. Start with having a care provider come a couple of days each week to help with things like cleaning, cooking meals, or driving them to doctor’s appointment. This helps your parent ease into the idea. Once they see how helpful it is, they may be more willing to accept more care later on.

Talk About Independence, Not Loss

Imagine how it must feel for your senior parent to be in a position where they can’t do tasks they’ve done their whole lives. Think about how hard it is for them to not be able to make their own bed, or cook their favorite food without help.

Many seniors fear losing control of their lives. Explain that getting help doesn’t mean giving up their freedom. In fact, it can help them stay in their home longer and do more of what they enjoy.

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

The post Talking To Your Senior Parent About Elder Care appeared first on Golden Heart East Bay.

Improve Home Security

Enhancing home security is one of the most effective ways to improve seniors’ nighttime safety. Modern security technologies are accessible and can be tailored to any home. Some of the strategies that seniors and their family members might consider include the following:

• Smart Locks: Replace traditional door locks with smart locks that enable keyless entry. This reduces the likelihood of seniors misplacing keys or fumbling with locks late at night.
• Alarm Systems: Consider installing a security alarm system that will notify authorities if a door or window is tampered with. Some systems include panic buttons, which seniors can easily access in an emergency.
• Video Doorbells: With these devices, seniors can see who is at their door without having to open it. The ability to monitor visitors can provide peace of mind, especially if unexpected visitors arrive at unusual hours. Elder care can work with seniors during the daytime hours to get them used to how these devices work.
• Exterior Lighting: Install motion-sensor lights around the home’s perimeter. Well-lit areas deter potential intruders and help seniors avoid tripping while walking outside after dark.

Establish a Nighttime Routine

While it’s important to not add to their fears, having a consistent nighttime routine can help seniors feel more secure and settled before bedtime. Some of the things they might incorporate into their routine include:

• Securing Locks and Doors: Check and lock all doors and windows before going to bed. Some seniors may find it useful to use a checklist to ensure that everything is complete. Elder care can help them create this list as well as update it regularly.
• Create a Bedside Emergency Plan: Seniors should keep essential items on their bedside table, such as glasses, a flashlight, a phone, and any medications within arm’s reach. Having these items on hand can help to reduce stress during the night.
• Use a Personal Alert System: A wearable device, such as a medical alert bracelet or necklace, lets seniors call for assistance if they fall or experience another emergency during the night.

Improve Indoor Lighting

Navigating through a dimly lit house can be difficult for seniors, raising the risk of falling. Elder care and family members can go through the home, noting where lights need to be added, such as in hallways, on stairways, and in bathrooms and bedrooms. Motion-sensor lights inside the home are also an excellent option, since they automatically turn on when seniors move about.

Stay Connected

Staying in touch with family or neighbors can give seniors who live alone a sense of security. Family members can schedule regular check-ins or use video calls to connect each night or arrange for neighbors to check in on seniors. Additionally, families may consider installing monitoring systems that allow them to check on loved ones remotely while respecting their privacy.

Helping seniors feel safer at night while aging in place requires a combination of practical measures and emotional support. Loved ones and elder care can work together to ensure that seniors enjoy their independence while remaining safe by incorporating some of the tips above.

Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/sleep/home-safety-older-adults/
https://www.frontpointsecurity.com/blog/tips-for-senior-safety-when-aging-in-place
https://www.aarp.org/home-family/your-home/info-2021/aging-in-place-checklist.html

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

The post How to Help Seniors Aging in Place Feel Safer at Night appeared first on Golden Heart East Bay.

Sometimes the adult children of seniors have a hard time noticing when their senior parents start to struggle with everyday tasks. It’s hard to see your senior parent as someone that is changing and getting older. And sometimes parents don’t want to talk to their children about issues that they’re facing or medical conditions that are getting worse. But at some point, you and your senior loved one will have to talk about what is the next step for them. If your senior loved one is determined to stay in their home, discussing the benefits of elder care is the best place to start.

Elder care can be the lifeline that a lot of seniors need in order to live comfortably and safely in their own homes. Services are customizable so that your senior parent gets exactly the help they need based on their medical conditions, current health, and lifestyle. And as your senior parent’s needs change the elder care that they receive can change too. Some seniors have a hard time accepting help, but they find that it’s easier to get help from a caregiver than from their children. Having a conversation with your senior parent about getting in-home help is never easy. But if you’re seeing any of these signs it’s time to have a conversation with your senior parent about elder care:

Dishes Piling Up

If you see dishes, pots, and pans piling up in the kitchen and not getting cleaned or put away that’s a good sign that your senior loved one needs some help around the house. Maybe the dishes are too heavy for them to comfortably hold, or maybe they don’t have the strength to stand at the sink and do dishes, or maybe they are struggling to reach up or bend down to put things away. If you see dishes and pots and pans that don’t get put away for days on end it’s time to talk about elder care.

Dust Piling Up

If you notice a thick layer of dust on tables, lamps, window blinds, the TV, and in other places that could mean your senior loved one is struggling with housework. Because dust and other allergens can make it tough for seniors to breathe this is an issue that needs to be addressed swiftly.

No Food In The Fridge

Check out the fridge the next time you visit your senior loved one. If there’s little or no food in there it could mean that your senior loved one is having a hard time making meals. Or that they are having a hard time shopping for food. Elder care can help with both of things and a caregiver will make sure that your senior loved one is eating nutritious meals every day. If you notice a lack of food in the fridge and the cupboard it’s time to talk about getting some home care for your senior parent.

Source
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/choosing-to-live-at-home

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

The post Is It Time For Elder Care For Your Senior Parent? appeared first on Golden Heart East Bay.