Elder Care in Rowayton, CT
Independence is something that carries tremendous significance to most people, particularly seniors who are already dealing with limitations and challenges that require care and assistance to handle. Having to receive help from a family caregiver or a health care service provider can make older adults even more sensitive about their independence and autonomy, and it is more important than ever to ensure that they maintain as much control as possible over their lives and their care. Supporting as much independence as possible throughout their aging years encourages improved mental and emotional health, ongoing motivation, and strong cognitive and physical functioning.
If you are concerned about the level of independence that your parents have in your elder care efforts, one of the most important things that you can do is make meaningful modifications throughout the home. For many seniors, simply changing a few things throughout their homes can make it possible for them to handle tasks safely and comfortably that would otherwise require the intervention of a caregiver or care provider.
Some meaningful modifications that you can implement in your parents' home to support independence throughout the course of your elder care journey with them include:
• Grab bars. Seniors with mobility issues such as balance problems, stiffness, lack of range of motion, or weakness can have a difficult time walking around the home independently. Installing grab bars throughout the home gives these seniors something to hold on to as they walk around, offering them stability and security so they feel more confident as they move around and have much lower fall risk
• Door modifications. Arthritis and upper body weakness can make it difficult for your elderly parents to open and close the doors throughout their home, including their room doors, cabinets, washer and dryer doors, and closets. This can mean requiring help for tasks that they could otherwise do on their own. Making modifications to these doors allows them to open and close safely and with confidence. Look for modified door handles such as rubber sleeves that fit over traditional doorknobs, or make adjustments such as adding a cord that will help them to pull a door closed
• Add shelving. Overhead shelves and cabinets can be extremely challenging, and even dangerous, for many seniors to try to use on their own. Attempting to get something down by themselves could result in the item falling down on them or them tumbling and falling. Rather than forcing them to rely on others to get things down for them or having to just settle for not being able to use items when they are at the house alone, add shelving throughout the home. This allows you to put items on lower, more accessible shelves so that they can pick them up more easily and more safely. Try putting these shelving units in closets or pantries and stabilizing them by adding bags of sand or gravel on the bottom shelf so that they do not tumble over when your parents are using them.
If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Rowayton, CT or the surrounding areas, please contact SYNERGY HomeCare of Stamford, CT at 203-661-6969.
