The time often comes when we need to assist older relatives with everyday tasks. Whether it’s your parents, siblings, or partner, helping out goes a long way to forming bonds and showing appreciation. From helping around the house to using new tech, here are some suggestions.
Make the Home Safer
Safety at home is vital for all ages, yet it becomes more essential for older people. A simple slip or trip can be laughed off by a healthy adult, but it can be a nightmare for a frailer elderly person. Removing obstacles and clutter is a good first step, and movers can help you store your stuff if you are making space for a relative. Or you can hire them to help remove some of your relative’s stuff that could get in the way. It may also help to cover sharp edges with foam or rubber.
Help Around the House
Most older people eventually begin to have issues doing simple tasks. And this includes cleaning the home. Simple things like doing the dishes can become a big chore when your back or hip causes pain or your legs begin to buckle. And then there are issues such as arthritis, which can cause pain all over, even in the hands. Helping out around the home also ensures it is kept hygienic, as bacteria and mold can be deadly to older people with respiratory problems.
Assist Older Relatives with Meals
In addition to cleaning the home, one of the most essential ways to help someone who needs it is by preparing meals. Many older people don’t get the meals they need, and one survey by Age UK found that 3.7 million older adults in Britain aren’t able to access nutritious food. This is made worse by the fact that nutrition becomes much more serious as we age. Helping with simple food preparation, even fresh sandwiches, can make a massive difference in someone’s life.
Teach About New Tech
It’s a bit of a cliché that older people can’t use modern technology. Nonetheless, some do actually struggle with using a phone or PC, which most of us take for granted. Yet it is essential that we help teach older generations how to use modern tech, especially since a lot of traditional systems now require the internet, even making telephone calls and TV. Smart tech such as Alexa could help save a life as all your relative needs to do is ask it to call emergency services.
Stay in Touch and Visit
It’s natural that we become more lonely and isolated as we age because our peers eventually pass away. But it doesn’t need to be this way. One of the easiest ways to help aged relatives is by staying in touch and dropping in now and then. This will help reduce any symptoms, such as loneliness-related depression, and it helps you to check that your relatives are staying healthy. Teaching how to use video chat and smartphones is also a big advantage when it comes to this.
Summary
Making the home safer is a great way to assist older relatives. Preparing nutritious meals will also help keep them healthy. And keeping in touch reduces loneliness and depression.
