Caring for an Elderly Relative

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Caring for an elderly relative can be difficult. It might be a parent or a grandparent, someone who you were formerly dependent on, making the newfound responsibility potentially overwhelming.

However, caring for an elderly relative doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Providing proper care and support can be just as rewarding for you as it is for them. To help you through the process, here are some tips on caring for an elderly relative.

Knowing When an Elderly Relative Needs Care

It can be difficult to accept a parent or relative needs care, especially when they provided care for you for many years! Ageing is a natural process, and with it, certain functions slow down. Your parent may have mobility issues, such as arthritis, or mental health problems, such as dementia. Whatever their issue is, identifying that they need an extra hand at home is the first step.

Elderly Parent Refusing Care

There could be a scenario where you have accepted your relative needs care, but they haven’t. Proposing care is a sensitive topic, and the reality of the situation can be hard for all to accept; however, it’s essential to explain the reasons for care in a gentle manner.

Let them know that you just want to help them with their situation, without belittling them. They could pose a danger to themselves or others, and it’s important they understand that there’s nothing wrong with needing a helping hand around the home. The earlier you broach the subject, the better!

Top Tips on Caring for the Elderly

Create a Safe Home Environment

You and your relative must understand that you cannot always be present. Ensuring their home is a safe environment is a good way of maintaining their safety while you’re away.

Remove any tripping hazards, such as loose wires or untidy rugs, and create an easy-to-navigate layout so your elderly relative can safely move around the space without falling.

Installing grab bars, slip mats and ramps where appropriate can also create a safer environment and give them the support they need when no one else is around to assist. Providing them with a fall alarm can also be a good idea, so they can alert the necessary people if they do have an accident while alone.

Encourage Their Independence

While you’re there to care for your relative, encouraging their independence will keep them sharp and retain their confidence. If you’re helping them with a household task, such as laundry or the dishes, ask them to get involved so they don’t feel they have to fully rely on you. This is good for self-esteem and will help them maintain motor skills.

Another way you can help their independence is through mobility furniture. With our range of riser recliner chairs and adjustable beds, you can rest assured that your elderly relative is able to get in and out of their bed or armchair with ease. The supportive nature of the furniture promotes independence, allowing them to get comfortable without the need for assistance!

Assistance with Medication

It’s important that elderly people keep on top of any medication they need. Memory can worsen with age, even without issues like dementia. Because of this, carers should help their elderly relatives keep track of their medication. Whether that’s via an organised medication box, or creating a small checklist so they can ensure they’re getting the right medication each day.

Maintaining Their Diet

In terms of diet, elderly people must get the right nutrition. A good diet is important for everyone’s health, but elderly people who need care might not have the drive to prepare healthy meals each day. Even making the trip to pick up fresh ingredients can be challenging, especially if they are struggling with their mobility.

As their carer, helping keep their kitchen stocked with nutritious foods and recommending meals is a good idea. You could go one step further and help them prepare meals for the week, ensuring they’re getting a good amount of nutrition every day. To help them feel involved, invite them to assist with the cooking. Even if they’re just chopping vegetables, it’s good to have them be a part of the process, plus it’s beneficial to their motor skills!

Social Activities

To help your elderly relative lead a normal life, it’s important you involve them in social activities. Whether you go on a walk to a local park, bring them to a social club, or just bring other friends and family members round for a chat, socialising will bring several benefits to your relative.

Socialising helps fight loneliness and anxiety while promoting cognitive function and reducing stress levels. For people who are older and struggle to get out as much, socialising will help them maintain good brain function and good mental health. Encouraging easy hobbies they can do at home with others, such as board games, is a great way of keeping them active and engaged.

Can You Get Paid for Caring for an Elderly Parent

For many carers, financial issues can be a concern. You may be required to help out with groceries, laundry detergent, travel expenses, and deal with potential time away from work. Financial issues can bring a lot of stress that can add to the stress of caring for an ageing parent.

Fortunately, if you care for someone at least 35 hours per week, you could be entitled to payments. With Carer’s Allowance, you could claim £83.30 per week, alongside National Insurance credits. Visit the GOV.UK page on the matter to see how you could be supported for your caring efforts!

Home care services are another option to consider if you don’t think it’s possible to make the time required for your loved one. Care home services provide professional help where needed, bringing important benefits to your elderly relative’s life.

Could Your Relative Make Use of Mobility Furniture?

If you’re caring for an elderly relative and think our riser recliner chairs or adjustable beds could bring comfort, support and independence to your elderly relative’s life, why not consider a free home trial?

We’re proud to offer a free trial run of our furniture, so you and your relative can experience the benefits of riser recliner chairs and adjustable beds firsthand. Get in touch with our team today to test out the furniture from the comfort of your home!