Simple Ways to Keep Your Elderly Parents Healthy

The elderly always need a bit of extra care and attention to be able to live a healthy life ahead. Senior care comes with lots of responsibilities that can get a bit overwhelming. Yet, with proper preparation and planning, caring for parents can become stress-free and effective. Here are some important tips on how to keep elderly parents healthy, happy, and energetic.

Understand the Required Care

The first step to start with is by understanding the level of care your parents need. Some elderly have incontinence problems. Whether it is just mild or not you need to add it to your list. It is very important to know that condition to help them feel comfortable even when sleeping. You can check Kylie washable bedding protection for their bed and if they also need incontinence pants. Making a list of daily tasks can help you understand better the amount of supervision and care which is required in a day. For starters, keep a notepad with you and note down the tasks your parents needed help with. At the end of the week, you’ll have a pretty good idea of where you need to assist.

Moreover, always know your parents’ medical history to keep a track of chronic illness or medical conditions they might have. Complete health checkups, dental appointments, and follow-ups should never be missed as overlooking these can have health-deteriorating results.

Aim for a Healthy Lifestyle

Whether young or old, people who practice a healthy lifestyle have a strong immune system, a healthy body, and a sound mind. A balanced diet is a crucial component of healthy living that has a massive impact on well-being. Know the importance of vitamins, minerals, and their daily requirements in order to select the right ingredients for a nutritious meal.

Try avoiding frozen, processed food as they might have a very low nutritional value instead, use fresh fruits and vegetables. There are a plethora of healthy lifestyle changes you can incorporate into your parent’s daily routine. Don’t worry if you get confused when it comes to making a diet plan. A nutritionist can not only educate on how to eat healthily, but they also have the expertise to improve a person’s health condition or manage a chronic illness by recommending the necessary nutrients.

Medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension require regular monitoring which should be encouraged in the elderly. Nowadays, there are sophisticated medical devices that can monitor heart activity, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels with ease.

Opting for such devices will benefit your parents and improve their quality of life. If your parents don’t have an illness that interferes with their gait and movement, a simple stroll by the garden or a 10- minute light exercise routine can aid in keeping the body physically fit.

Provide Realistic Care

Caring for an elder requires patience, determination, and consistency which some of us might not have. After knowing about the care your parents require, evaluate how much you can provide without harming yourself along the way. If there is too much for you to do, there is a chance of experiencing burnout, making it unable to provide the required care.

Moreover, adult day programs are a great way that provides the right care and the environment for the elderly to socialize. You can also look for home care services like companion care company that claim to provide essential services for the elderly. Still, it is best to do your homework and understand what type of care will be the most beneficial for you and your parents. You can also get help with caregiving by asking the family for an extra hand at times.

Make Improvements in Care

For parents who live in a multi-story home, it is a good idea to shift their bedroom to the ground floor to avoid unnecessary strain on the muscles while climbing the stairs. If due to some reason, shifting the room is not possible then a  stair chair lift is an effective option to be used as an alternative. Most seniors sit a lot and an ergonomic seating chair will offer greater posture support when compared to household furniture chairs. Making some minor changes in the way of living can make a huge impact on their health and well-being. You can start by:

1. Using antibacterial wipes for cleaning can easily prevent any infection from occurring in the first place.
2. Keeping their bedroom quiet and sleep-friendly for quality sleep.
3. Foot fungus can be kept at bay by following feet’ cleaning routine and keeping them dry.
4. Cotton socks work best when compared to nylon or any other synthetic fiber.
5. Mental health issues might arise as parents get older. Their cognitive abilities decline over time, making it challenging for them to perform daily activities on their own. Simple brain exercises like solving a puzzle, crafting, or reading a book can help maintain cognitive functions.

Involve your parents along the process to make them better understand the changes to follow without difficulty. The elderly need time to adjust to new changes, so try working on improving their critical needs slowly. No doubt the elderly might require extensive care and a huge chunk of your time, but in the end, it’s all worth the effort.