Many people dread the idea of sending their parents to a nursing home. But there may come a time when you cannot provide the best care for your parents.
With your career and family responsibilities, it can be extremely difficult to make the time and find the resources to care for aging family members. There are many ways that elderly persons can remain in the familiar environment of their homes while still receiving the best care and attention, however.
Here are five ways to turn a family home into a comfortable place that has great medical and lifestyle supports.
1. Video chat
Services like Skype and Facetime are now ubiquitous. They enable us to video chat with family members overseas or across town. Connecting with elderly family members at home can significantly decrease their isolation and improve their overall mood. They can get instant updates about your life, and you can get visual information about their current environmental and physical condition.
2. Remote environment control
Do you have elderly family members who forget to activate their security systems, turn on heaters or air conditioning, or switch lights off? Many consumer products and apps allow you to monitor an offsite environment and even control whether certain appliances are powered on or off.
If your loved one has limited range of motion or is unable to operate certain home appliances, you may be able to control these items from your mobile phone.
3. Emergency alert systems
There are hundreds of alert systems on the market for elderly home care. Some require just a press of a button to call emergency services and contact numbers.
This could save a loved one’s life, especially if he or she is living at home alone. Make sure to educate your family member on how to use a new alert system properly. If your relative has known allergies, make sure the person wears a medical alert bracelet.
4. Entertainment options
Streaming video, gaming systems, and digital subscriptions make it easy for your family members to enjoy life at home. Appeal to their inner sport fanatic, movie buff, or reality show junkie by giving them a gift subscription to a cable or online content service.
Elder family members can also get involved with community activities through public libraries, neighborhood centers, and clubs. Check out local community newsletters and online listings to see what’s available nearby.
5. Homecare services
Medical and hygiene professionals can visit your home and make sure your loved ones are receiving optimal care and support. These services will provide you with peace of mind, since these checkups can be scheduled on a regular basis.
Homecare support is ideal for families that want to provide medical expertise and resources for older relatives who prefer to retain the comforts of home.