- To talk to a care professional call:
- 253-460-1574
- (888) 927-6227
Retirement communities are nice, but a lot of seniors would rather live out their years in their own home. They are more comfortable there and, in today’s world, it makes financial sense. The annual cost for an assisted living facility is roughly $34,000 a year and can even be closer to $70,000 a year if you live in a big city like New York. However, as a person ages, living in their home can become challenging and even hazardous. If an elderly parent is having a tough time moving around in their home, health problems and medication side effects could make this worse and raise the danger of falling which could lead to a broken hip.
In extension to some key steps like ke
eping the floors clean and clutter-free, there are a few things that can be done to make it easier and safer for your elderly parent to get around in their home.
Shower and bath tub grab bars in bathrooms. This is an extremely important item in home safety. This doesn’t mean using a towel bar; buy the best quality grab bar that you can afford and place it with blocking in a wall or a blind fastening system. They should be positioned beside the toilet and one right outside the shower and/or tub in each bathroom. Grab bars come in different kinds of textures and colors now so it’s easy to coordinate it with the bathroom.
Railings. Your elderly parent needs to feel safe around their home going up and down the stairs. Make sure railings are installed on both sides of all staircases; for wide staircases, use extendable railings.
Medical alert systems. Most seniors prefer to have some privacy which is understandable. Putting in a medical alert system will not only give them their privacy, but you peace of mind. An emergency pull-cord is also a good idea to be set up in each bathroom and connected to a phone.
Nonslip mats. Using nonslip mats in the bathroom or on any other floor surface will help the senior from slipping; place a nonslip insert in each shower or tub to keep washing safe for your parent. Also, be sure to get rid of scatter rugs since they can cause an elderly person to trip or slip and fall.
Lighting. Many elderly don’t realize they can’t see so well in lower wattage lighting, so provide higher wattage light bulbs like 60 or 75 watts. Night lights are a big help too; put one in each bathroom and one or two in the kitchen and living room. A sensor night light is probably a good choice for the elderly because they don’t have to remember to turn it on or off, it goes on when it’s night and turns off when it’s morning.
Door levers. Those that have arthritis may find it hard to turn a regular door knob. So replace those knobs with door levers; they’re easy to change and it won’t take much time at all.
Remote entrance to home. Seniors will find it easier to open the door by simply pressing a button on a keyless entry remote rather than trying to get that key in the lock. Also, provide a ramp from the driveway to your front door and make sure to keep it free of things like potted plants. It will be easier for your parent to walk a ramp rather than negotiate a bunch of steps.
Accessible bathroom fixtures. A lot of seniors have problems lowering themselves to sit on a traditional height toilet; so replace that toilet with a higher height one or buy a toilet extender seat. As for showers, a walk-in shower is the best complete with nonslip floor, grab bars and either a removable or permanent seat. They also have walk-in bath tubs now that also have grab bars, a nonslip floor and a seat; some even have air jets. To avoid burning, make sure the hot water is set at a minimum temperature.
None of us want to see anything bad happen to our parents as they go through their senior years. Following the advice above will provide them with a safe home that will let them be comfortable and independent. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at (253_ 460-1574/. We are always here to help! Heartwarming Care
Most senior adults prefer to age at home as long as it is safe for the senior and, when necessary, in-home care is available. These accommodations range from 24/7 in-home care to casual companionship. Each step is available for certain segments of our aging population.
Independent Living
Senior adults seem to be happier when they are in familiar surroundings. They prefer their own home as long as it is safe for them to be there. In-home care is the answer to compassionate care, which allows the senior to enjoy an independent lifestyle without moving to a community facility.
This preference to be in their own home should not represent obstacles to the senior adult whether the person is economically challenged or well-to-do. Payment for services rendered can be as creative or as mainstream as is necessary to meet the various needs for assistance. Safety is the number one priority for our senior adult population.
Heartwarming Care on a Budget
Senior adults do not always require high maintenance care. Some need only companionship while alone during the day. Others might require assistance with simple things such as cooking, cleaning, a few quick housekeeping tasks and an errand now and then. This is especially true if they live with family members or a house mate who is gone during the daytime.
Care providers tend to overlook older adults who do not have financial means. Heartwarming Care is available to assist with the placement of appropriate caregivers who can perform the necessary services within your budget. Talk to us today. Our goal is to pleasantly surprise you.
Infection control at home. I can already sense some of you cringing with nervousness and fear. However, rest assured, that neither a PhD, nor even a course in microbiology is needed in order to successfully control infections of all kinds at home. With just a few basic, very simple principles, you can keep you and your loved ones free of the complications of infections.
The first principle related to the cause, cure, and prevention of just about any infection you will encounter among the elderly in the home environment is…any fluid in your body that does not move will either clot or get infected. Whether it’s urine, blood, or fluid in your lungs, stagnant fluid either clots or gets infected with bacteria, it’s a physiological fact.
How do you apply it? If lack of motion creates the problem, then motion will fix it. Coughing and deep breathing can help to prevent pneumonia. Intake of fluids (to keep urine moving) can help prevent urinary tract infections. Walking can help to prevent blood clots.
The second major principle is…hand washing, hand washing, hand washing. This alone will prevent most viruses and bacterial infections from other people. Whether it’s your aged loved one, a visitor, or yourself, make a firm household policy of hand washing upon entering, before eating, after using the restroom, after performing any personal cares, and, well, just because!
If after applying these principles, a bug still slips by and infects your loved one, keep in mind the, again simple, symptoms which tell you to head to the doctor. Watch for fevers, strange colors or consistencies (whether in urine or coughing up from the lungs), or areas of bright angry redness (for wounds and skin infections). If your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, it’s vitally important to finish the entire course of medication as ordered. If that doesn’t clear it up, back to the doctor.
For further information on how to prevent infections, and other important information on maximizing the health of your loved ones, please contact us
Often adult children of aging parents worry about mom or dad’s capabilities. Often times, they tend to over-assist their parents, not allowing them to keep their senior independence.
As well-meaning as that may be, it doesn’t allow the parent the sense of pride and accomplishment they deserve to feel. Keeping our self-importance is vital as we age. Maintaining a sense of independence keeps our minds active and strong.
Most senior citizens, if given a choice, will choose to stay and live out the remaining days of their lives in their home. How many parents have said, “Don’t ever put me in a nursing home!”? As the child making that decision it is one of, if not, the most important decisions of your life. Your first choice, of course, would be to have mom or dad stay in their own home. But, with having a life of your own to tend to, it may be difficult to help mom or dad when they need it.
At Heartwarming Care your parent can remain in the home they’ve spent decades in and your worries will be over. Mom and Dad can keep their independence and feel wonderful about themselves and enjoy life.
A quality, professional, trusted home caregiver will give you peace of mind as they assist your parent with whatever is needed. Your parents will have the assistance of a caregiver in the comfort and privacy of their own home whenever or for whatever your parent or you deems necessary.
Heartwarming Care offers 5 core values:
You and your parent can expect confidence, guaranteed compatibility and assured quality.
Remember that senior independence is crucial to enjoying the last chapter of our lives and helping your parent maintain it is both loving and wise.
Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
We have all heard the term – Sandwich Generation. It is the generation of Baby Boomers that are finding themselves responsible for the care of their children and their parents. With the advancement of medicine and overall better health, people are living longer. Because of this, children are needing to become more involved in the Heartwarming Care of their loved ones.
From About.com on senior living:
According to the Journal of Financial Service Professionals, at the beginning of the 20th century between 4% and 7% of people in their sixties had at least one parent still living. Today, that figure is nearly 50%. And people in their sixties who end up caring for an aging parent often feel they are getting a preview of what they may experience emotionally, physically and financially as they age—and at a time when they are confronting their own mortality more keenly than ever before.
Aging does not only affect your elder family member; it has a great impact on your life and the life of your children. While it may seem like common sense, there are steps that should be taken to ease the transition for your parent and yourself.
In looking at life changes, you need to make sure that you are taking care of the emotional needs of your parent and yourself. You need to be sensitive to their wants and needs but also be realistic as to what you can provide. You need to know when to seek professional help to care for your aging parent.
That is where we come in. We provide in-home care and help educate you and your loved one on living as independently as possible. We provide consistency for your family member and are sensitive and compassionate to their needs. We can help determine the needs of your parent and customize a program for them.
Don’t wait until it is too late. Contact us and have assurance that your parent will be cared for when the time arises.
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