Most seniors cherish their independence. They want to live out their days in the comfort of their own home. Doing so safely can be difficult, however. The senior members of your family will need your help.
Busy Buddies, caring transitions specialist, explains what you need to know to help your loved ones age in their own homes.
Hold a Family Meeting
Set up a group or family meeting with the goal of creating a circle of care for your senior loved one. This is a network that includes family members, friends, health care providers, paid caregivers and neighbors–anyone who can provide support to your loved one as they grow older. During this meeting, you should discuss what tasks each member of the group is willing and able to do to help your senior live in comfort and peace.
Prepare Their Home
As the leading choice for elderly moving services, Busy Buddies understands the importance of preparing a home for aging-in-place. Seniors have different safety and functionality requirements than younger people, and your loved one’s home needs to take this into account. You need to take a tour of their home and think about how to make it more accessible and safe. Ideas to consider include installing a grab bar in the bathroom, getting rid of clutter and installing “smart home” features.
Put Together an Independent Living Care Plan
Spend a day with your loved one and take notes on their daily routine, which will help you determine the times of day when they have the most and least energy. Use this knowledge to make a plan that will help guide your loved one’s daily activities. In addition, you need to think about their practical needs including their health care, finances, transportation and household maintenance requirements.
As part of your decision-making process, you may realize that you need to move your senior family members to a new home that’s a better fit with their current lifestyle. Give us a call if that happens. We have decades of experience in moving elderly parents and in helping seniors reorganize and declutter their homes.
Call us at (703) 828-1833 to learn more about our services and a free estimate. We serve many areas in VA, including Arlington.
