Are you worried that your elderly relative is living alone? As we age, it can become increasingly difficult to manage day-to-day tasks.
This is especially true for elderly relatives who live alone and may no longer have the same physical or mental capacity they once had.
To ensure their safety and well-being, family members should consider doing whatever they can to help their elderly loved ones.
Here are six ways you can help an elderly relative living alone.
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Make Their Home Accessible
One of the best to help an elderly relative living alone is to make sure their home is as accessible as possible.
Consider making any necessary modifications to make the home easier to navigate, such as installing home lifts.
For instance, these home lifts at StiltzLifts.co.za come in different designs and sizes and are ideal for elderly people who need a little help getting up and down the stairs.
You can choose a home lift that fits specific needs and home decor.
Some factors to consider when choosing a home lift include the size and design of the lift, as well as safety features such as emergency stop buttons.
For instance, the Home Lift Duo model features two doors, one at the top and one at the bottom of the stairs, as well as a two-way intercom system so you can communicate with your elderly relative while they’re in the lift.
Check In on Them Regularly
Another way to help an elderly relative living alone is to check in on them regularly.
This can be done by calling or visiting their home to ensure they’re doing okay.
You could also set up a regular check-in schedule with other family members or friends, so someone checks in on your elderly relative daily.
If you live far away, there are also services that allow you to check in on your loved one remotely.
Be sure to ask your elderly relative if they need help with anything.
You can help without being too pushy if they don’t want to ask.
For instance, you could offer to pick up groceries or do some other errands for them.
Organize Transportation
Transportation can be a difficult issue for elderly people living alone, especially if they have mobility issues.
If your elderly relative doesn’t have access to their own vehicle, you should look into arranging transportation for them.
You can look into public transportation options for your elderly relative or arrange rideshare services like Uber or Lyft.
Ensure that their transportation means are safe and reliable.
Doing your research to find the best options will help ensure your elderly relative can get around safely. For instance, you can look for car transportation services that help with elderly passengers.
Encourage a Healthy Diet and Exercise
Eating healthy and staying active is important for everyone, but especially for elderly people living alone.
Eating well-balanced meals helps keep their energy levels up and boosts their immunity against illness and disease.
Encourage your elderly relatives to eat various nutritious foods and stay active.
You can also offer to cook meals for them or deliver groceries to their home.
If your elderly relative is physically able, you can encourage them to go on walks or do light exercises like yoga or stretching.
Helping them find ways to be active will help boost their overall health and well-being.
Provide Companionship
Loneliness can be a major issue for elderly people living alone, so it’s important to ensure they have companionship.
Invite your elderly relatives out on outings or activities and encourage them to spend time with friends and family.
If they cannot get out of the house due to mobility issues, you can look into arranging for home care services.
Many home care companies now use state-of-the-art technology including the best rostering software to enable them to organize and manage care and support teams as well as pass on important care notes to staff and family members.
This enables them to provide quality care and keep you up to date on your loved one’s care and progress too.
While it might not be easy to accompany your elderly relative daily, providing them with companionship whenever you can help relieve their loneliness and ensure they are not isolated.
You can also hire someone to provide companionship and assistance if needed.
Help with Finances
Managing finances can be difficult for elderly people living alone, so it’s important to help them out in this area.
Offer to help your relative keep track of their expenses and bills or look into setting up an automatic payment system for their bills.
For instance, you can set up automatic bank transfers to their accounts each month to ensure they never forget to pay a bill.
You can also look into government benefits that your elderly relative might be eligible for, such as housing subsidies or health care programs.
Helping them manage their finances will help ease the burden and give them peace of mind.
Caring for an elderly relative living alone can be difficult, but it is highly rewarding.
By regularly checking in on them, organizing transportation options, encouraging a healthy diet and exercise, providing companionship, and helping them with finances, you can ensure your loved one has the support they need to stay safe and well looked after as they age.
Ensure to work with the elderly relative to determine the best course of action and respect their wishes.
With your help, they can live a healthy and fulfilling life.
