At some stage in life, almost everyone has to support and care for an elderly loved one. The scale at which you do this will be dependent on your circumstances, but it will usually require some form of thinking and planning.
Luckily, supporting an elderly loved one – whether it’s your mother, father, or grandparent – doesn’t have to negatively impact your life and wellbeing. In the modern world, it can be a fun and rewarding process – something that you enjoy rather than dislike.
Where Should I Start?
Firstly, you need to assess whether your family member needs any equipment or accessories for when they’re alone. After all, they must maintain their independence as much as possible.
Most people start by getting a mobility scooter. Take a look at mobility scooters from Mobility Solutions to compare the different ones available.
In addition to a mobility scooter, it’s also a good idea to invest in a walker and a walking stick for when they’re navigating around the house.
Arrange a Daily Phone Call
Sadly, millions of elderly people suffer from loneliness, even when they have extended family and friends.
With this in mind, you should arrange a daily phone call to have with your loved one. This will give them a major boost and something to look forward to. If they can’t see you in person that often, this is the perfect substitute.
Over the phone, you can discuss anything; from what you’ve been watching on TV to your plans for the weekend.
If you haven’t already, make sure to set them up with a smartphone.
Take Them Out to Socialise
Naturally, your personal life is the most important thing. You might have a family and spouse yourself, so you’ll be spending a lot of time with them during the year. However, every couple of weeks, you should make the effort to take your elderly relative (or relatives) out for dinner. Elderly people don’t like being stuck in their homes all the time, so this is the perfect excuse to get them out in some fresh air.
Look for Local Clubs
In their local area, there might be some appealing clubs. For example, bowling clubs are especially popular with the elderly. Also, knitting clubs are great, too. Check out Google – it will let you know about all the nearby clubs that are designed specifically for older people.
Move Them Closer to You
If possible, you might want to move your elderly relative closer to you (obviously, this will mean them selling their home). In some cases, people will invite their relatives to physically come and live with them, but this is something you’d need to think about carefully before going ahead with it.
Consider a Nursing Home – But Only When Necessary
Sometimes, the reality is that an elderly relative needs to go to a nursing home. This is nothing to be ashamed of, as millions of people go into them every year. Nursing homes can be a little expensive, though, so you would have to plan how you would fund the nursing home. Usually, this involves savings and selling their home.