Often, older people prefer to stay in their homes instead of going to a place they can receive specialized care. Adult children are usually tasked with taking on the caregiving duties, such as picking up prescriptions, giving rides, and helping around the house. Eventually, high-tech tasks and assisting in daily activities are introduced to the caregivers. And, near the end, these caregivers will need to deal with end-of-life issues.
Here is how to provide better in-home care:
Help with everyday needs
Older people often need help with things younger people take for granted. To get the right medications, go to social activities, shop at the market, and other daily tasks, they need help. Be patient.
A friendly check-in
A phone call or a friendly visitor can be the best part of an older person’s day. It can be encouraging that they are not entirely alone in the world, although they spend most of their time alone. If the older person likes their personal space, just give them a call. It is cost-effective, takes as little as five minutes, but can make that person’s day.
Help around the house
Cleaning the dishes, taking out the trash, folding some clothes, or changing a light bulb can be a tedious, boring, and sometimes dangerous task for people who need assistance. By spending an hour or so helping around the house, you allow the older person to enjoy their day more and limit injury chances.
To make the home safer, hire a repair service if there is a problem in the home you cannot fix.