Assisted living facilities can be helpful when seniors are too ill to live alone, but often, seniors can get more focused care at home. However, it can be challenging for seniors and their families to get used to the big change. If you want to make the transition easier for you and your aging loved one, follow these tips.
Get a Detailed Description of Your Loved One’s Needs
As you take the steps to transition your parent back to home living, you need to consult with the staff and healthcare specialists at the assisted living facility. If possible, see if you can obtain a copy of your loved one’s medical record and learn about his or her schedule at the assisted living facility. Ask if your loved one usually receives help with daily tasks such as getting dressed, going to the bathroom, bathing, and eating to get an idea of what to expect when he or she moves back home.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of in-home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Ask for Help
Many new family caregivers quickly find the task overwhelming, so it’s important that you don’t try to do everything yourself. If you have other family members, you may want to discuss creating a caregiving schedule with them. It may also be a good idea to get assistance from a professional caregiver. Hiring someone who can visit your home to help your parent with challenging tasks like bathing can make the transition easier for everyone.
When researching agencies that provide senior home care, Montgomery, AL, families are usually looking for flexible care plans, compassionate and highly trained caregivers, and 24/7 availability. Whether you need respite care to take a break from your caregiving duties or your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, you can rely on Home Care Assistance.
Make Time for Socialization
Many seniors report the most difficult part of transitioning from assisted living is the lack of socialization. Assisted living facilities often plan group activities regularly, so it can be challenging for seniors to manage their own social calendars again. Strong friendships are an important part of maintaining wellbeing in old age, so it’s essential for seniors to spend time with friends. Help your loved one schedule visits with friends by suggesting activities and providing transportation. If your loved one is housebound, teach him or her to use technology so he or she can make video calls and send emails to maintain friendships.
Create a Safe Environment for Your Loved One
Most assisted living facilities are carefully designed to make things convenient for seniors with mobility challenges. To prevent slips and falls when your loved one transitions to home care, take some time to set up a safe environment. Remove long electrical cords, low stools, rugs, and other tripping hazards. Reposition furniture so your loved one can walk in a direct line between areas of the home. Most seniors do best with first-floor bedrooms so they can avoid stairs. If possible, install grab bars in bathrooms and bedrooms to help your loved one sit and stand without falling.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Montgomery live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life. Whether your parent needs minor help with daily tasks or extensive 24-hour care, give us a call at (334) 593-3988 today.