6 Tips for Helping Elderly Individuals Live Comfortably at Home

6 Tips for Helping Elderly Individuals Live Comfortably at Home

6 TIPS FOR HELPING ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS LIVE COMFORTABLY AT HOME

Many individuals prefer to age in their own homes, rather than transfer to residential care or nursing homes. However, aging at home can present its own set of challenges. Elderly individuals may have difficulty with mobility issues and daily tasks as well as face social isolation. Here are some tips on, how to help elderly people live comfortably in their own homes.

1. Reducing Fall Hazards

Falls are a common issue for the elderly so it’s important to take steps to minimize the risk of falls in the home. Here are some ways to do this:

  • Remove clutter: Clear away any objects or items that could be a trip hazard, such as loose rugs or cords.
  • Ensure good lighting: Poor lighting can make it difficult to see hazards, so make sure that all areas of the home are well-lit, particularly stairways and hallways.
  • Install grab bars: Installing grab bars in bathrooms and showers can provide additional support and stability.
  • Use non-slip surfaces: Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and kitchen, and ensure that flooring is not slippery.
6 Tips for Helping Elderly Individuals Live Comfortably at Home, Reducing Fall Hazards

2. Making at Home Modifications

Modifying the home can make it easier for elderly individuals to move around and carry out daily tasks. Here are some modifications to consider:

  1. Install a stairlift: Stairs can be difficult for elderly individuals to navigate, so installing a stairlift can make a big difference.
  2. Use ramps: If the home has steps or uneven surfaces, consider installing a ramp to make it easier for the individual to move around.
  3. Personal alarm systems: Consider installing a personal alarm system that the individual can activate in case of an emergency. We recommend the Vibby Fall Detector Watch (link) which automatically raise an alert if it senses the user has fallen.
  4. Adapt the bathroom: Adaptations such as a walk-in shower or raised toilet seat can make it easier for elderly individuals to use the bathroom.

3. Providing Transportation Assistance

Many elderly individuals struggle with transportation, particularly if they are no longer able to drive. If the individual needs to get to appointments or run errands, consider arranging for a ride service such as a taxi, Free Now or Uber. Most of these services have an app, which can hope you organise transportation on behalf of a loved one. If the individual is able to use public transportation, consider helping them learn the routes and schedules. If you are able to, consider driving the individual to appointments or other events.
6 Tips for Helping Elderly Individuals Live Comfortably at Home, Providing Transportation Assistance​

4. Helping with Daily Tasks

Daily tasks can become more difficult for elderly individuals. Offer to take the individual grocery shopping or arrange for a grocery delivery. Consider preparing meals in advance or helping the individual with meal preparation. Offer to help with cleaning tasks such as dusting or vacuuming, or the laundry, or arrange for laundry services if necessary.

5. Encouraging Social Interaction

Social isolation can be a significant issue, for the elderly particularly if they are no longer able to leave their home regularly. Here are some ways to encourage social interaction:

  1. Visits from friends and family: Encourage friends & family members, to visit the individual regularly.
  2. Community events: Help the individual get involved in local community events, such as senior centers or clubs.
  3. Video calls: Set up video calls with friends and family members who are further away.
6 Tips for Helping Elderly Individuals Live Comfortably at Home, Encouraging Social Interaction

5. Medication Management

Certain medications can increase the risk of falls. For example, medications that cause dizziness or drowsiness can increase the risk of falls. Therefore, medication management is an important part of fall prevention. Patients should be closely monitored for side effects and medication should be adjusted as necessary. Staff should also be trained on the potential side effects of medications and how to manage them.

6. Keeping them Mentally Active

Staying mentally active is important, for maintaining cognitive function & reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Encourage the individual to read books or articles on topics they enjoy.

Puzzles such as crosswords or Sudoku can help keep the mind active. Playing games such as chess or card games can be a fun way, to stay mentally active.

6 Tips for Helping Elderly Individuals Live Comfortably at Home, Keeping them Mentally Active

It’s crucial to remember that everyone’s demands are different thus the supports must be tailored to their specific requirements. Some individuals may require more extensive modifications to their homes, while others may only need assistance with transportation or daily tasks. It’s important to listen to the individual and take their preferences and needs into account.

It’s important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. The aging process can be difficult and individuals may feel vulnerable or resistant to change. By providing support and encouragement, you can help make the transition to aging in place a positive and fulfilling experience for the individual.

If you would like to discuss any of our Home Care Product Packages please call our care team on 0818 999 247

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Camera
Specifications

VIDEO RESOLUTION (Up to) 1080p@15FPS with 355° pan angle and motion detection

SENSOR 1/3” CMOS Sensor (2.0MP)

CHARGING VOLUME 5V DC

VIEWING ANGLE 110° Viewing Angle

AUDIO Two-way audio with built-in 38dB microphone and 1W speaker

NIGHT MODE 10m infra-red night vision with 0 Lux IR LED

WIFI 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4G

POWER SUPPLY DC 5V/2A via included mains adapter

FREQUENCY 1575.42MHz

SIM Up to 128GB SD card (not included)

DIMENSIONS 97 x 97 x 129 (mm)

WEIGHT 290g

 

INSTALLATION

Recommended ceiling, wall, desk, or shelf

ACCESSORIES INCLUDED

Mounting bracket, backup rechargeable battery (3.7V, 800mAH)

Personal Alarm
Specifications

BATTERY 3.7V, 850mAh rechargeable

BATTERY LIFE Up to 72 hours under normal use

CHARGING VOLUME 5V DC

SENSORS GPS, motion, vibration

MICROPHONE Built-in microphone and speaker with ceramic antenna

WATERPROOF IP67 Waterproof rating

FLASH MEMORY 1MB

WIFI 802.11 b/g/n, 2.4G

BLUETOOTH 5.0 LE (used for pairing with the optional charging base)

FREQUENCY 1575.42MHz

SIM Built-in SIM card with 1 year subscription

DIMENSIONS 61 x 44 x 16 (mm)

WEIGHT 40g

 

ACCESSORIES 

INCLUDED Magnetic charging cable and mains adaptor, lanyard, keyring clip

OPTIONAL Charging base with mains adaptor and rechargeable battery

Smart Watch Specifications

SCREEN 2.03” LCD / Resolution: 640 x 590

OS Android 7.1

WIFI 4G (LTE) with built-in nano SIM

CONNECTIVITY 4G LTE / Wi-Fi

BATTERY 900mAh

BLUETOOTH 4.0

MEMORY 1GB RAM, 16 GB ROM

WATERPROOF IP67 Waterproof rating

HEART RATE Heart rate monitor built-in

STEPS COUNTER Steps counter built-in

BLOOD PRESSURE Blood pressure monitor 

DIMENSIONS 272 x 56 x 17 (mm)

WEIGHT 95g

COLOUR Black

STRAP Silicone / 260 mm

Smart Hub Specifications

Tablet

DISPLAY 10.1” FHD (1920 x 1200) LCD IPS

BATTERY Up to 8 hours (but we recommend it stays docked)

OS Android

MEMORY 3GB

PROCESSOR Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 450

CAMERA 2 MP fixed focus front camera

SPEAKERS Two front-facing Dolby Atmos speakers

WI-FI T802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi

BLUETOOTH4.2 (used for pairing with the speaker dock)

DIMENSIONS 243 x 168 x 8 (mm)

WEIGHT 480g

COLOUR  Slate Black

Speaker Dock

AUDIO 2 x 3W full-range speakers

ALEXAAlexa voice assistance via 3 far-field microphones

CONTROLS Built-in volume, mute and Bluetooth pairing buttons

DIMENSIONS 65.5 x 283.6 x 50 (mm)

WEIGHT 520g