How to Make Elderly Relatives Feel Better at Home
It is difficult to accept the reality of our parents and grandparents getting old. But believe it or not, it does happen and the responsibility falls on us to take care of them as they once took care of us.
As the roles are reversed, we have to be very mindful of our elders’ deteriorating physical and mental health.
It becomes necessary to ensure that their diet is followed, they take their medicines on time, the house is safe for them, and their social and personal life remains somewhat intact. Fortunately, with commitment, compassion, drive, and our love for them, we can take many measures and arrange for daily aids to make them feel better at home.
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Let’s discover some of these methods:
1. Remove Booby-Traps from the house:
As we age, our bones become weaker and our skin gets more susceptible to burns. So, the first thing we need to do with elderly people in house is to make it safe and sound. For instance, we might want to provide them a room at the ground floor so they don’t have to brave the steps every hour of the day. We must make doors easy to open for arthritis patients by installing levers. We must either change floors that are slippery, or ensure that they are well-cushioned with rugs and mats, without slippery throw rugs. Finally, remove obstacles from their path, especially pointed corners and low steps on the floors.
2. Lights:
A well-lit house will prevent the elders from fumbling for things, trying to find things and losing their footing during the process. You can make it even better by installing sensory lights so that they won’t even have to look for the light switch on the wall.
3. Have things delivered at the doorsteps:
Most elders (fathers especially) love to get their hands on newspaper first thing in the morning, or there are times when they run out of medicines and cannot make it to the drug store. Make sure to hire services who can make deliveries at the doorstep on time.
4. Social Life:
Elders need a social life as much as younger folks because old age and isolation can create deep feelings of loneliness. Elders have spent a good part of their life working, taking care of children, attending events and dividing their time among many other activities but with old age a television ends up being their best companion.

There are many community events that allow seniors to mix together. There are also healthy exercises like a biking event that can keep them involved and happy.
Other activities can be arranged for seniors as well; baking, knitting, gardening etc. Social groups and tea parties help to keep their heart lighter and their spirits high.
5. Get Them a Pet:
If the elders are living alone at home then make sure to get them a low-maintenance pet. Living with pets comes with many benefits and seniors would love to have one living with them.
Most of us think of old age as a sad part of our life but it doesn’t have to be. It is just one more phase of our life and with people around us to take care of us, with activities to keep us involved and enough money to keep us properly fed and clothed, old age is like a vacation with no deadline.
Author: Andy Caton is a blogger and marketer for Patient Handling. When he’s not working, he’s spending time doing literature, film photography, and cinema. He’s also into fitness and is excited because his wife is pregnant with their second baby.
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