Daily tasks can become more difficult for seniors – extra help can be beneficial for them. A good quality of life is particularly important for older adults who struggle with chronic health problems and significant changes in their lives. Having a good outlook on life will help seniors have more time, less stress, better appetite and avoid cognitive decline.
Helping Seniors With Daily Tasks
There’s an environment for those who are completely healthy and others that aren’t, and these are the individuals that are more likely to be assisted by recovery treatment or assistive devices.
There are four stages on the disability continuum to help people better understand what kind of assistance seniors need:
- Use special devices to work around their disability
- Have reduced the frequency of their activity but report no difficulty
- Report difficulty doing activities by themselves, even when using special devices
- Get help from another person.
Some Seniors Need More Care
The end result has been that these adults require about 200 hours of treatment a month on average. Much of the support was received by informal carers, mostly spouses and babies. About three in ten older adults receiving help supplemented this informal care with paid assistance.
There are more problems than just coping with burnout caregivers and improving quality of life.
Around one in three people who indicated support or trouble with day-to-day tasks also reported experiencing at least one negative impact in the month prior to the interview due to an unmet need for assistance.
So, what kinds of help do people actually need?
1) Mobility
To the elderly, mobility is vital, even if it’s only within their own community. Make sure they are fitted to a wheelchair, motorized mobility chair, walker or cane. Build a wheelchair ramp, rails for the hand and wider wells for the door to make it easier to get around the house. A hospital bed, douche, lift or tripod bar will help you get out of bed or stay healthy in the shower.
2) Medication
Senior citizens may need appropriate medicine to keep themselves safe. If required, this starts with adequate medical care, such as visits to the dentist, dental care, foot care, eye care , physical therapy and psychological therapy. When they need help with their medications or giving themselves insulin injections, they will need to add a home-health nursing program to their regular care plan.
3) Transportation
Transportation to an elderly person may be lifesaving. When they can’t drive anymore, arrange transportation so that they can get to and from medical appointments and physical therapy. It is helpful to have a caretaker or nurse who comes on other days to take an elderly person to make errands, attend a social function or go to the doctor.
4) Personal Care
Personal treatment is a major everyday need for a senior citizen. We may need assistance with washing , dressing and personal toiletries. Where appropriate, a home-health assistant or other family member can help with these tasks.
5) Nutrition
To remain healthy and enjoy a happy life we need proper nutrition. Having a nutritionist or caregiver go through a daily meal plan to figure out what foods better fit the lifestyle of that person. Meals should be cooked regularly and it’s easier for senior citizens to heat up each day and enjoy a healthy meal. Meals on Wheels services ensure that an elderly person receives at least one nutritious meal everyday.
Fairmont Grand Senior Living Community
Fairmont Grand is a resident centered senior living and memory care facility in Rapid City, SD. Our goal is to create an environment where resident well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
Our wide range of services are designed to meet you or your loved one’s daily needs. We offer restaurant style dining options, a variety of physical activities, and give residents the opportunity to live as independently as possible.
If you or a loved one near Rapid City, South Dakota are considering assisted living or memory care, contact Fairmont Grand to learn more about individualized living options or tour our community.
