With growing age, keeping up with daily activities can become difficult. Aging seniors cannot do basic chores like cooking and cleaning and even moving around in their homes can sometimes become difficult. Taking care of your aging parents is a noble task, but due to current lifestyles, it has become challenging for children to take care of parents. Since you cannot be with them 24/7, you can change at home to make their lives easier and to avoid accidents. The good news is, now you can get help with your senior care in Dallas or any other city across cities across the nation. There are great options for senior care to simplify and improve your life, putting everyone’s mind at ease.

Here are five of the top things you can do to make life easier for seniors living in their own homes.

1. Create a fall free zone.

Older people have increased risks of falling or slipping even from the smallest things. The following simple changes can reduce the chances of tripping:

• Install a cordless or cell phone instead of using a traditional telephone.
• Remove throw rugs from the home, as they can be hazardous for people using walkers.
• Place electrical cords for the TV, modem, and telephone should correctly to avoid tripping.
• Obtain an alarm bracelet or necklace that sends alert to emergency services with a push-button.
• Encourage the use of a cane or a walker at all times instead of holding onto walls and furniture.
• Purchase non-slippery footwear or flat, thin-soled shoes that fit well.
• Change floorings from tiles to wooden.
• Create a secure place for pets, so that they do not clutter things in the hallway or the living room.

2. Teach older adults fire safety tips

The kitchen is a potential area where seniors are at risk of getting burnt. Here are things you can do to prevent danger from fire:

• Set up the kitchen so that everything is easily accessible.
• Install a smoke detector and check its battery regularly.
• Replace faulty appliances.
• Avoid putting too many electrical wires in one socket.
• Instruct them to call 911 to put out a fire.
• Instruct them to avoid smoking in bed.

In case you feel that getting a caregiver is a better resource for your aging parents, you may contact a trusted provider for senior care in Dallas or your local area.

3. Reduce the risk of bathroom slips and falls. 

A risk assessment of the bathroom identifies the potential dangers of slips and falls and highlights any further controls needed to ensure seniors’ safety.

• Set the water heater at no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding.
• Add support and grab bars in the bathing area and near the toilet to assist more natural movement.
• Place a rubber mat in tubs to avoid slips due to water.
• Install chairs and bars in the tubs to reduce the risk of falling in the bathroom.
• Install better lighting or sensory lights in hallways and bathroom areas.

4. Protect them from strangers.

Older adults are an easy target for scams and crime. You can protect them from these risks by teaching them a few tips:

• Don’t welcome strangers in the house for any reason.
• Don’t be fooled by strangers in uniform or with an identification badge. Call 911 immediately.
• Install security cameras and an alert system so they as well as you can check who is at the door.
• Teach your loved ones the emergency contact information.
• Tell them not to give personal information on the phone.

5. Arrange for in-home caregiver services.

 Most cities and towns across the United States (New York, D.C., Seattle, Phoenix, etc.) now offer in-home caregiver services through agencies like Ultimate Home Health Care in Dallas, Texas. This is a convenient service, because you can simply call to arrange 24/7 caregiver support, just when you need it. That means your aging parents or grandparents can maintain their independence and stay in thir home longer, getting expert care with all of the comforts they enjoy.

Senior care in Dallas is only a phone call away and is always available for your aging parents or grandparents. Ultimate Home Health Care is a great agency to consider for seniors in the Dallas area. Ultimate provides the best 24/7 caregiver services sent directly to the homes of seniors in need of help throughout the DFW area in North Texas. From cooking meals to providing transportation to social events, you can trust Ultimate Home Health Care’s caregivers to assist your parents with love and care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributing Author: Christopher Norman, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

An inevitable process has begun: Your parents are growing older. Maybe they are struggling to keep up with their personal needs, or they have worsening physical limitations. Whatever the reason, you realize it’s time to talk with them about senior care. If you are nervous about initiating this conversation, you are certainly not alone.

Seniors often resist this conversation for a variety of reasons. Transitioning from giving care as a parent to receiving care from others can be a difficult adjustment. Additionally, many seniors resist accepting help because it means acknowledging the passage of time and the loss of independence.

Regardless of why your parents are hesitant to acknowledge their need for help, the way you approach this conversation can make a huge difference in the way they respond. Below are a few tips you can use in navigating this difficult topic together.

Start By Listening
Not sure where to begin? The secret ingredients for a constructive conversation on the topic of senior care are empathy and active listening. Before you begin to share your point of view, ask open-ended questions to uncover what they think, feel, and believe about aging and senior care.

Be Prepared to Offer Solutions
As you transition to a discussion about specific senior care options, your parents will likely be much more receptive to your input if you take the role of a knowledgeable advisor. If you research ahead of time, you can be prepared to lay out their options and work through any barriers, whether real or perceived. Two of the most important topics to read up on are:

● Finances. One of the older generation’s chief concerns is finances – how to pay for the care they need will most almost definitely be a point of concern. Prior to broaching the topic of senior care, learn about the different payment options and financial assistance available for the various levels of senior care, such as in-home care and assisted living.

● Aging in place. Many seniors prefer to live in their own homes for as long as possible – also referred to as “aging in place.” Be ready to discuss the need for in-home care and the need to find or adapt a home with “Universal Design” principles, such as no-step entryways, walk-in bathtubs, and wide hallways. Another key component of safely aging in place is assistive technology such as a medical alert system, which provides access to immediate help in an emergency. Research the costs and options available from different companies, and consider adding a home security and automation system as well.

Keep Your Final Goal in Mind
It is difficult to predict exactly how the conversation about senior care will be received by your parents, but as long as you listen, empathize, and are prepared to answer questions, you can make this difficult transition easier on everyone. You can then move forward together to find a senior care option that gives peace of mind to both you and your parents, with the ultimate goal being their safety, health, and happiness.