Top 10 Tips for Caring for Older Adults

The creeping prevalence of aging societies isn’t just a challenge for national governments, policymakers, and healthcare providers to solve. It affects everyone who has, or will have, an elder family member or loved one in their lives—and everyone lucky enough to grow old themselves.

Remaining in good health as an older adult requires much more than what medication and treatment alone have to offer. Below are ten pieces of advice, and some accompanying resources, for those who want their loved ones to age as comfortably, independently, and vibrantly as possible.

1. Keep care at home if possible. Try to find care providers who are willing to provide care for your loved one outside a hospital setting and in the home. For some care providers, this may mean home visits.

2. Coordinate your care. Try to coordinate services among all those providing care for your loved one—both formal and informal. This means everyone from the primary care physician to the person who may come in once a week to clean the house.

3. Make care regimens person-centered. Encourage your loved one to make their own decisions about the type of care they receive and when and where they would like to receive it.

4. Enable social inclusion. Isolation can be a major cause of emotional distress for older people.

5. Stay up to date on the latest technology. Keep abreast of new technologies that can improve every aspect of care your loved one receives.

6. Investigate your insurance options. Explore long-term care insurance options in detail and find the one that is right for your situation.

7. Take care of the caregivers. Recognize the challenges inherent in caring for a loved one in need and make use of any resources available to you in these efforts.

8. Learn and practice mindful communication. Don't be afraid to have what can be a tough conversation about end-of-life care with your loved one.

9. Educate yourself. Try to keep up to date with the latest innovations in elder care.

10. Create a safe environment. Make sure the environment in which your loved one lives encourages their independence and autonomy, mitigates and the risk of injury or harm.

With Love and Faith Senior Home Care, we deliver comfort to ensure your elderly loved ones age independently and vibrantly as possible. Contact us now to know more about our services.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhaseltine/2020/01/10/top-10-tips-for-caring-for-older-adults/?sh=21e0ed2a7a5e