Getting older is rarely considered fun. Sure, the experience and memories we amass may make up for the physical failings that assail all of us as the years pile on. Nonetheless, these physical limitations are what we tend to focus on.
But enjoying our sunset years is definitely possible. In fact, it’s not necessarily that difficult to attain. It does take some forethought and some investment, however, and perhaps even some lifestyle changes. So, let’s take a look at different ways to make everyday life easier for the seniors in your life.
Invest in a Medical Alert System
With a medical alert system, you can ensure that help is always just the press of a button away. You can sleep soundly knowing that your senior family member or friend is safe and protected at all times.
Maybe you’re worried about their medical condition, which may take a sudden turn for the worse. Maybe they’re at an increased risk of falling or simply live alone and you want to make sure they don’t have to wait for someone to find them if they happen to fall in the shower. Whichever the case, a medical alert system with automatic fall detection can provide added peace of mind and a sense of security.
Our medical alert system is easy to use and easy to install. It’s also affordable and can be tailored to the specific needs of your home. You’ll never again have to worry when a senior doesn’t answer their phone. You’ll simply know that if something bad were to happen, their emergency system would have already alerted you.
Make Sure They Stay Social
Socialization is incredibly important for seniors. It makes them feel more a part of things and life in general, and it also boosts their physical and mental health. Sadly, seniors who are less mobile and who have to depend on visitors to see people often feel extremely lonely and can go for days without speaking to another human being.
In order to make sure seniors stay connected and have the opportunity to chat and socialize, provide them with all the necessities. Whether you arrange for someone to help them get to the local park or a senior social club (when this activity becomes perfectly safe again), or teach them how to use a video chat app, do your best to enable them to stay in touch with the people in their lives.
Make Sure They Stay Active Too
Staying physically active as a senior is incredibly important as well. Despite any aches and pains you may be experiencing, moving your body can prevent injuries and keep your body healthy.
Of course, you are no longer expected to run, lift and engage in sports like you used to. A simple daily walk can do wonders, as can some light stretches.
Getting the senior in your life to move more can be a challenge. They may just feel a little bit lazy and prefer not to be bothered, or they may have difficulty getting about. Whatever the case may be, it’s up to you to ensure they move.
For example, you can:
- Add a joint weekly walk to your routine and encourage family and friends to do the same.
- Sign them up for a class – even an online one, if they’re comfortable with modern tech.
- Set up a service that will pick them up, drive them to a certain location where they can spend some time outdoors, and take them home again.
Make Adjustments to Their Home
What younger generations often fail to take into account is the sheer shock of having to change your daily life. We all get accustomed to habits and routines and like to do things a certain way. Disrupting them can lead to a lot of frustration and stress.
Nevertheless, some changes will likely have to be made. For starters, you want to make sure that the home where the senior lives is accident-proof.
Remove any tripping hazards and ensure there is a clear path available from room to room. Make sure there are no chairs or tables that may catch an unwary foot.
Add non-slip mats to the bathroom and the kitchen, and place plenty of grip bars at strategic locations. This is especially important around the shower and the toilet.
Stairs represent a particular challenge because senior falls are dangerous – sometimes deadly. A stair lift can help seniors age-in-place comfortably and safely.
When making all of these changes, make sure to specifically tailor them to the person living in the home rather than yourself, the person making the changes. You may be able to reach a bar, but a shorter or taller person may have some difficulty.
Help Them Function in the Modern World
There are so many apps and gadgets that can make a senior’s life more easy or difficult. If they find using modern technology difficult, even watching the news can be a challenging task.
Do your best to teach the seniors in your life to use the technology they have available to them. Perhaps you can also consider changing their phones, remotes, and other appliances if they are no longer able to keep up with them.
Remove any pieces of technology that they are not comfortable with. Ensure they are very comfortable with the phone and that the TV is set up to facilitate easy access to the channels they watch most often.
If they are willing, you can introduce Netflix, Spotify, Facetime, and a whole host of other apps. These are some things we take for granted, but they would have been something out of a sci-fi flick just a generation ago.
Final Thoughts
There are so many things you can do to make the life of a senior easier. The options vary from major alterations in the home to simple upgrades such as installing a medical alert system. Consider all the available solutions that will ensure your senior is safer, more active, and able to live their sunset years happily.