It can be easy to assume that seniors in your community are getting all the care and assistance that they need. Sadly, the opposite is often true. In fact, many seniors are living on their own because they have no loved ones close by.
This makes for a truly unideal and often dangerous situation as physical and mental limitations make them vulnerable to a multitude of risks constantly—even in their own homes. The responsibility then falls on community members to see to their well-being and safety. Here are some resources to help.
Address Current Needs
Even seniors who are still able to care for themselves can benefit from a second set of eyes and ears when it comes to meeting their current health and safety needs. There are also plenty of ways to help them stay well-fed, active, and safe while maintaining their independence.
- https://dailycaring.com/6-ways-to-get-seniors-with-no-appetite-to-eat/Seniors have special nutritional needs that should be considered.
- Loss of appetite is not unusual, but there are ways to revive interest in foods.
- Staying active is a must, but also must be safety-conscious.
- Falling can be devastating for seniors, but they often misunderstand their risk.
- There are many devices that can help seniors age in place.
- Know when not to help and when to allow your loved one to care for him or herself.
Assist with Permanent Solutions
There will likely come a time when your aging loved one will need long-term assistance, especially while living alone in their own home. Preparing for these inevitable situations ahead of time will allow caregivers to provide the needed help without hesitation.
- Know what signs indicate a senior needs assistance at home.
- Organizing and decluttering can be a big undertaking for seniors.
- Downsizing offers many benefits to seniors.
- If they own a home, selling it could help pay for future expenses.
- Explore senior-friendly housing options.
- Consider volunteering with Northernstar Youth, where you can make a difference with seniors and families in your community.
We really need to look after lonely seniors as if they are our own. It’s also important to find ways to improve their quality of life and guarantee their safety for the long haul. It’s more than just something to do—it’s the right thing to do.
Thank you to Beverly Nelson from Stand Up for Seniors (standupforseniors.org) for this guest post