4 Reminder Tips on How to Care for your Elder Family

Your loved one has reached a certain age wherein he/she can no longer function without assistance. Proper adjustment during this time should be taken into account to provide the best possible care for your older loved one.

To help you remember what type of care you need to give to your now-dependent older family, here are a few tips you can start applying now:

1. Always remember to be there

Not everyone has the patience to tend to everyone’s needs but at least try to. Being there is always better than not. Doing such shows how much you care for your elderly family giving them happier memories.

You should also remember to have a checklist for your elderly loved one which will include checking off overall cleanliness, necessary food supply, overall safety, and so on.

2. Have a pillbox ready

Make sure that your loved one is taking their medications accordingly by simply creating a system for them such as a pillbox organizer that already has all the medications they need for the day. If they have am and pm medications, be sure to separate those as well.

Also, take note of possible side effects of new medications being prescribed so you are aware of how it affects your loved ones when they have to intake the medicine.

3. Make your home senior-friendly

A few adjustments need to be implemented to your home to create an accessible and safe living environment for your elderly loved one. These may include the following:

All over the house:

• Test (or install) smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Bathrooms: 

• Avoid slippery bathroom floors by using non-skid mats
• Install handrails or grab bars near the toilet or shower or wherever needed.

Living Room/Bedroom:

• Install auto-sensor nightlights that are bright enough to light up at night when your loved one takes a trip to the bathroom.
• Minimise clutter in your home to avoid potential stumble or fall risks.

Outside of the House:

• If your home happens to be raised, be sure to install a ramp for wheelchairs or walkers to enable your loved ones to enter your home with ease. 

4. Hire companionship services from a trusted provider

If an older family member is not yet registered to any home care service but you think your loved one is eligible for one be sure to check out government-funded care services at My Aged Care.

Once approved, you can opt to care for your grandparent in your own home by hiring a companionship support service from a trusted aged care support service which would allow you to manage your time without choosing to leave your grandparent at a care home.

Caring for an elderly loved one can be both physically and mentally exhausting so be sure to find the right support when you need it. If possible evenly share tasks with each member of the family to divide the responsibilities.