Tips for Helping Your Loved One Live at Home Longer

At Comforting Home Care we recognize the many benefits for seniors who are able to live at home for as long as possible. As a caregiver for your elderly loved one, there are 4 things you can do now to help them achieve their goal of aging in place:

1. Develop a Plan
2. Make Adaptations
3. Prioritize Healthcare
4. Get Help as Needed

We’ll dive into each step below.



Develop a Plan for Aging at Home

The first step is to identify what help your loved one might need now (like refilling prescriptions, keeping the house tidy, etc.) and in the future as they age. If there are multiple family members who will be assisting with caretaking tasks, gather everyone together for an honest and frank conversation. What help can everyone realistically contribute both in the short term and long term? Honesty is very important at this stage so that no one feels as if they’re biting off more than they can handle. Put a plan together in writing so that everyone involved can reference it in the future if needed.

Make Adaptations

After the plan is made, the next step is to consider your loved one’s home. Is it accessible for their needs now and potential needs down the road? The steps in your family’s split-level home might not have been a concern in the past, but as we age stairs can become more dangerous to navigate. You may also consider swapping a step-in shower/tub combo for a more accessible stall shower with a bench.

Making renovations can get expensive in a hurry, so be sure to prioritize the most important improvements and consider cost-effective ways to improve the safety of the home. Moving items from high shelves to ones that are easier to reach is an easy way to adapt to changing needs without breaking the bank.

Prioritize Healthcare

That being said, the best defense is a good offense. Help your loved one stay up to date with doctor's appointments and manage their medication so that any potential problems are caught early before they become bigger issues. It’s also critical to maintain a healthy lifestyle, so organizing a nutrient-rich meal plan or finding local exercise groups for seniors are great ways for caregivers to help their loved one stay healthy.

Get Help as Needed

There’s no shame in admitting when you need help. Adding a caregiver to your team is a great way to gain the flexibility to stay at home while getting the support your family needs. Our goal is the same as yours: help your loved one maintain their lifestyle for as long as possible.

Caregivers can be there to assist with daily tasks, medications, doctor's visits and more. We prepare a unique plan of care for every one of our seniors to meet each individual’s unique needs. To learn more about how Comforting Home Care can fit into your loved one’s care team, give us a call at 610.991.8879.