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| Loss of independence is a senior's worst fear. |
Older people have common issues, and most of them don't want to be admitted into an assisted living facility. It's natural for them to want to stay at home and take care of themselves on their own. Unfortunately, they can't. Seniors need proper care to get by the day and lead a fulfilling lifestyle. There's no better place like home though. The problem is many seniors have to abide by the rules and accept their relatives' decision to place them in hospices and nursing homes. All of them want to stay at home but very few have the courage to express their feelings out loud.
Caring for seniors at home
What forces seniors to give up their homes and move into assisted living facilities or nursing homes? Believe it or not, this decision is not always because of their declining health. Research shows that small lifestyle changes and daily strategies can keep seniors at home for years. Much still focus on important priorities as they plan their senior years when what they should do is focus on the little things.
The elderly don't have to maintain their abilities to drive a car in order to live alone and remain independent; however, they should be capable of using kitchen utensils, bathe themselves, go to the market, and pay their bills. These are vital attributes that seniors should preserve to remain independent to lead a happy life at home.
Assistance at home
Most seniors want to be cared at home not in nursing homes. There are different methods available, yet prior to deciding you might want to settle on a budget. Home care comes at a cost, so it's best to be prepared. Here are some of the most common ways to care for seniors at home.
Personal care - if washing your hair, bathing, or dressing is become difficult to do, maybe it's time to ask for assistance from a friend or relative. Hiring a trained nurse to help you with these activities a few hours a day may also seem like a good idea.
- Homemaking - if you need help with daily chores such as yard work, housecleaning, laundry or grocery shopping, you can either hire someone to help you out or turn to buying things online. There are many cleaning services available on the web, as well as many websites from where you can purchase groceries.
- Meals - most seniors want to socialize, so if you can't cook anymore, you could stop by the local senior center or church. Meet up with friends, share a meal, and interact. If you're not in the mood for going out, you can opt for meal delivery programs.
- Money management - many seniors have troubles dealing with bills and health insurances terms. Ask a relative or a dear one to help you out; geriatric care managers and financial counselors may also come in handy.
Seniors are afraid of nursing homes
Many seniors are scared of nursing homes. They associate these facilities with hospitals and they often assume that their loved ones will never visit. They also believe that these places are depriving them of their liberty, which is not true. Nowadays, many assisted living institutions look comfortable and relaxing. They offer seniors the best care and they feature plenty of engaging activities to keep them occupied.
Loss of independence is a senior's worst fear. They believe that not being able to manage on their own and having to turn to someone for help, is embarrassing. It's not! There's no shame in asking for assistance from a loved one, friend or relative. Every senior wants to be cared for at home because that's the safest place to lead a comfortable lifestyle.
Seniors deserve access to quality care. Whether they choose to move into a nursing home or they decide to ask for help and stay at home, what really matters is for them to live a happy life. They shouldn't be scared of stating out loud their wishes, especially since living alone even if you're 70 is not something impossible to achieve. There are many support groups and community services for seniors looking for a way to maintain their independence and enjoy their retirement period as much as possible.
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| Guest post by Edward Francis and Foresthc.com |
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