As your senior continues to age, there are a number of different caregiving methods that will allow them to flourish, without putting their health and safety at risk. Two popular options include home care and residing in an assisted living facility. Below are some of the major benefits of both of these options.
Residing in an assisted living facility
According to those who work in assisted living, Asheville families and their seniors can enjoy peace of mind knowing that the elderly individual will receive proper care and plenty of socialization at an assisted living facility. Some of the key reasons why elderly individuals love assisted living facilities include:
- Plenty of activities to enjoy: At virtually any hour of the day, a senior can find something intellectually stimulating and fun to do at an assisted living facility. The days are no longer spent watching TV or reading, as they can attend art history lectures, take tai chi classes, or play cards with friends.
- Proper nutrition: If your elderly loved one struggles to get to the grocery store and prepare nutritious meals, this living option is an ideal one. They’ll have access to highly trained chefs who prepare meals that taste great and give them the nutrition they need to remain strong.
- A safe living environment: Even seemingly harmless items at home, like grandkids’ toys and dog food bowls, can become a hazard for seniors. Assisted living facilities ensure that your elderly loved one has a safe place to call home. According to those who work in assisted living, Hendersonville families often cite this perk as one of the most significant reasons to enjoy an assisted living facility.
The benefits of in-home care
For many elderly individuals, the idea of leaving home where they’re comfortable is unappealing at best and terrifying at worst. This is why many families choose home care for their seniors. According to those who work in home care, Asheville families using this option can enjoy peace of mind, without having to force their elderly parent to give up their independence. A home care professional can assist with bathing, changing, and can help to ensure that your loved one is eating nutritious meals and taking their medication.
When it comes to taking care of your loved one, there are many different options available. The right choice simply depends on your elderly parent’s comfort level, mobility, and needs. Home care and assisted living are both excellent options for preserving your senior’s health and safety.
After your elderly loved one has suffered from a stroke, the focus shifts to helping them to rehabilitate, regain their skills, and get their life back on track. Elder care professionals know that this time can be a stressful one for families, but rest assured that there are many caregiving options that will help your senior to move through the recovery process. Some of these choices include:
Moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility
Depending on the severity of the stroke, you may choose to move your senior into a nursing home or an assisted living facility. This allows them to get round-the-clock care, and it also makes it easy for them to get medical attention as necessary. They can live more independently in an assisted living facility, or can get more intensive help in a comfortable setting in a nursing home.
Those who care for seniors should understand the differences between a nursing home and an assisted living facility. It is also important to note that these living situations can accommodate a variety of levels of independence, and they often make the tasks of daily living easier. As your senior gets their physical abilities back after a stroke, this environment is often the ideal choice. According to those who work in home care, Asheville families should investigate the many facilities and options available to them as they help their senior recover.
In-home care
In-home care is another option, which is typically better suited for an elderly individual who can tackle most of their daily chores but could use a little assistance. In this situation, a home care professional will come in and assist your elderly parent as often as you’d like. They’ll do light cleaning, attend to grocery shopping, help with bathing, and make sure that your loved one is taking any necessary medication. This can help to lighten the burden placed on family members, while ensuring that your senior has everything they need to make a recovery.
When it comes to caring for an elderly individual after a stroke, there are no “right” answers. It’s simply about meeting the senior’s needs and assessing the family’s budget and comfort levels. There is a wide range of options available in order to make the healing process easier.
Those who care for seniors explain that it is highly important that family members and friends of this elderly individual learn the signs of stroke. Stroke is a major senior health concern that requires immediate medical treatment. In many instances, getting your elderly parent help right away can help to lessen the devastating impact of a stroke. Some key stroke warning signs to know about include:
Face drooping
Ask your elderly loved one to smile. Is their smile uneven? Has one side of their face begun to droop or has it gone numb? These are often key indicators of a stroke.
Numbness
If the elderly individual is dealing with a stroke, they may find that one arm has gone numb or is weak. Check for arm numbness by asking your senior to raise both of their arms, and then look to see if one arm drifts downward.
Trouble with speaking
A person who is having a stroke may struggle to speak properly, or may become hard to understand. To test this, ask your loved one to repeat a simple sentence. Note if they are able to repeat this sentence correctly and clearly.
Also be on the lookout for other symptoms of stroke including:
- Confusion or trouble understanding simple conversation or instructions
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- A significant headache with no real cause
If you suspect that your elderly parent is having a stroke, it is important to get medical attention right away. Every single minute counts when someone has lost blood flow to their brain. The longer it takes for them to get medical attention, the more significant the stroke damage will become. Immediate treatment can literally save a person’s life, and make it much easier for them to recover. In the event that your senior begins to demonstrate signs of stroke, call 911 immediately. Do not hesitate.
Though a stroke is based in the brain, it can wreak havoc on every area of the body. It makes it hard for a person to think clearly, express themselves, and feel emotions. They may also continue to struggle to move one side of the body, and may have numbness in their face. May is National Stroke Awareness Month, so make sure to learn the signs and symptoms so that you can act accordingly in the event that your elderly loved one faces this serious and damaging medical condition.
Since Mother’s Day is almost here, it’s time to start thinking about the perfect present for your senior. From the useful to the heartfelt, there are a number of different options that will leave your mom thrilled on this special holiday. Some popular Mother’s Day gift choices this year include:
Soft blankets or throws
No matter the season, you can never go wrong with a soft, comfortable blanket or throw. Quilters can make one on their own, or you can create a customized photo blanket using sites like Shutterfly. These personal gifts have sentimental value, while also fulfilling a practical purpose. Those who care for seniors explain that a multi-faceted gift like this is often the best option for holiday gift giving.
A tablet or an iPad
If your elderly loved one is into gadgets, try getting them a tablet or an iPad. They can use the device for many different activities, including reading, catching up with grandkids, keeping track of doctors’ appointments, or playing games to exercise the brain.
A scrapbooking kit
Your senior has worked to build a lifetime of memories, and a scrapbook can help to compile these milestones and happy times into one place. Those who care for elderly individuals explain that your mom will love sorting through old pictures, ticket stubs, programs, and other small items as she looks back fondly on these memories. The two of you can work together to create a personal and fun scrapbook that makes it easy to reflect on and enjoy these experiences once again.
A gift certificate for a manicure and pedicure
Take care of your mom’s physical appearance and leave her feeling refreshed and re-energized by giving her a gift certificate for a manicure or a pedicure, or both. This mini spa day will create a relaxing bonding experience, and will help to boost her self-confidence.
Develop a personalized gift basket
If you’re looking to get creative this Mother’s Day, try building a customized gift basket for your elderly loved one. You can make it food-based and include her favorite cheeses, snacks, and candy, or you can create a basket that she can use to pamper herself with using lotions, perfume, soft slippers, and bath soap. You don’t have to spend a lot on Mother’s Day to give a present that your mom will love. Think about her favorite things and activities that you enjoy doing together, and then plan a gift that incorporates these ideas.
