Tips For Helping Your Senior Spruce Up Their Place for Spring

A clean home is good for your elderly loved one’s mental health, and it is also important for safety. When clothes, grandkids’ toys, and other items are scattered around the home, they can put your elderly family member in danger of tripping. However, decluttering your senior’s home must be done with care, as they are probably highly attached to many of the items found within the residence. Following are some tips for helping them clean up in a tactful way.

Be sensitive

It’s easy for an outsider to sweep through and deem all of the belongings in a person’s closet or bookshelf worthy of tossing out. However, your senior may see things very differently. Perhaps that jacket that looks shabby was worn on a special occasion, or maybe that tattered book was a gift from their mother. Instead of just swooping in and encouraging them to toss everything, be sensitive. Listen to them when they explain which pieces are important, and only encourage them to throw out the excess items.

Accept slow progress

For a person who has built up a lifetime of memories, decluttering can be a slow process. Don’t expect to see revolutionary changes in one day. Even if the two of you can start by getting one room cleared of junk, senior care professionals note that’s a major improvement. Have patience and realize that this process will likely take weeks or months, not hours. 

Consider bringing in the experts

Home care professionals explain that decluttering a home can put a strain on a child’s relationship with their elderly parent. To cut down on any tension that may occur, it’s often wise to bring in an objective third party such as a professional organizer. In many cases, an elderly individual will respond better to this person’s advice than they would to the advice that their child offers.

Do something good with the discarded items

It’s likely that your elderly family member will feel better about getting rid of personal belongings when they know that they will be put to good use. Don’t just toss out old clothes or books; donate them to a shelter, hospital, or other place where someone else can enjoy them. Your senior will take comfort in knowing that their belongings are going to a new home and will put a smile on someone else’s face. 

Helping Your Senior Enjoy Nutritious Meals

For many seniors, good nutrition becomes less and less of a priority as they age. This is especially true if your elderly loved one struggles to get the grocery store, or has a hard time moving around their kitchen in order to prepare a meal. When this is the case, your senior may end up relying on fatty, salty snacks and fast food in order to get by. This can wreak havoc on both their physical and mental state. To help your elderly loved one stay on track and feel better, home care professionals encourage the following additions to their diet:

• Plenty of dark leafy greens.
• Enough fruits and vegetables. Try making smoothies or soup, as these are nutritious but filling items that taste great.
• Low-fat dairy products. Even getting your senior to switch to 2% milk instead of whole milk would be a major improvement for their diet.
• Lean meat and plenty of fish.
• Greek yogurt, nuts, and other protein-rich items when it comes time to snack.
• Encouraging dark chocolate over milk or white chocolate.
• Enjoying whole wheat bread instead of white bread.

Also encourage your senior to focus on their fluid intake during the day. Many elderly individuals get dehydrated and don’t even realize it, which can lead to a whole host of health problems. Ask your elderly loved one to carry a water bottle with them during the day, and to sip it regularly. If this doesn’t work, advise them to get a drink each time they pass through the kitchen. This helps them to get into the habit of consuming more water.

Many seniors end up eating a less-than-healthy diet because they simply can’t get to the grocery store or handle meal preparation on their own. If this is the case, your loved one could benefit from elder care services. They can have a highly trained professional shop, cook, and clean up for them. This makes it effortless for them to enjoy a nutrient-filled meal that will help to nourish their body.

Even having a home care professional drop by a few days out of the week can work wonders when it comes to ensuring that your senior’s home is stocked with fresh fruit, veggies, and other ingredients necessary for healthy meals. If you suspect that your elderly loved one’s diet is lacking, talk to them about whether this option would be appealing. 

Useful Strategies for Coping with the Loss of a Parent

Regardless of how old you are, the loss of a parent is a devastating and life-altering experience. For those with senior parents, the idea can actually seem completely overwhelming. While it is never easy to get over the loss of mom or dad, here are a few strategies a person can use to cope with their grief and begin to resume a normal life:

Rely on support

Many people begin to internalize their grief and emotions. They tell friends and family members that they’re fine, when they’re really going through an intense emotional crisis. Elder care professionals recommend avoiding this natural instinct, instead opting to share with family members and friends. These people are there to support you and help you get through this challenging time, so it’s important to let them know exactly how you’re feeling.  

Seek professional help

With a loss as dramatic as this one, it can often be useful to seek professional help. A trained therapist can help to equip you with the coping strategies necessary to recover and rebuild your life without your parent there. It’s also helpful to have someone who is there specifically to listen and provide support, particularly if you’re starting to feel like a burden on family members and friends.

Don’t abandon hobbies and passions

When you lose a parent, it’s tempting to sit at home and wallow. While this may seem like the best option, this actually can worsen feelings of sadness. Instead, it’s necessary to try to stick to a normal routine. Whether this means going to the gym, meeting friends for dinner, reading, or taking the dog for a walk, participating in favorite activities can help to alleviate feelings of grief. 

Attend a support group

It’s often helpful to spend time with people going through a similar situation. Locate a support group in your area, and make it a point to attend at least a few meetings. Knowing that you’re not alone in your pain is often a comforting fact. 

After you lose a parent, it’s important to remain focused on self-care. Get enough sleep, eat well, and don’t try to take on too many new additional responsibilities. This is a vulnerable time, and you shouldn’t try to overextend yourself as you heal.  It’s okay to say “no” to optional activities, and to spend time reflecting and relaxing. 

Essential Home Renovations for Aging in Place

Many seniors want to retain their independence and stay in their home, but struggle to live there comfortably as they age. In order to enable a senior to enjoy a happy and safe life in a place where they can feel at peace, it’s often necessary to make a few modifications to their living space. Elder care professionals explain that such modifications may include:

Adjusting the height of the dishwasher

In order to prevent strain when loading and unloading the dishwasher, try raising the height of the machine. This makes it easier to take care of this chore without feeling stiff as a result.

Adding in pull-out shelves

When your elderly loved one has to bend down to access lower cabinets, it can put a lot of stress on their back. To make it easier to access pots, pans, and other items, insert pull-out shelves into traditional cabinets. They prevent the need to reach into the depths of the cabinet to access cooking utensils. These cabinets are typically available at a local shelving company or can be installed by a contractor. 

Install grab bars in bathrooms

Grab bars are crucial for keeping your senior safe as they shower or take a bath, explain senior care professionals. Bathrooms can become a serious safety risk, as elderly individuals can slip or get off balance quickly, resulting in a devastating fall. Place grab bars in bathrooms, as well as in bedrooms and in hallways in order to keep your elderly loved one safely on their feet as they move about their home.

Keep the shower safe

To make sure your elderly loved one stays safe while bathing, consider covering the floor of the bathtub in a nonstick coating. You can also purchase a shower seat, which allows your senior to bathe without having to stand on their feet and maneuver around during their shower. This makes the process easier and much less risky. 

In order to make it easier to see in the evening hours, make sure that lightbulbs throughout the home are strong and haven’t burnt out. Also verify that there are no loose cords or other items lying on the floor that could create a tripping hazard. This includes area rugs and grandkids’ toys.