Lowering a Parent’s Risk of Ending Up in an Aged Care Facility

When your senior parent prefers to stay at home, you must take action to reduce his or her risk of going to an aged care facility. Since most older adults can live independently for many years, it’s helpful to know that taking care of your parent’s health now can help him or her achieve this goal. These strategies address the most common reasons older adults end up in aged care facilities, and using them gives your loved one the best chances of being able to stay near family at home.

Increase Overall Health

Aged care facilities are filled with older adults who have chronic health conditions that prevent them from staying at home alone. However, many of these conditions are treatable in the early stages so they don’t advance to severe illnesses. For instance, diabetes can be controlled and even reversed in the earliest stages. Find out the status of your parent’s health so you can find ways to make it even better. A healthy diet and a regular exercise plan are great ways for any senior to start preventing serious illnesses that threaten their independence.

In Sydney, senior home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the carers at Home Care Assistance, your ageing loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialise regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.

Prevent Serious Injuries

Once seniors reach a certain age, they may not always recover fully from injuries, and this is especially true for injuries to the spine or bones that affect mobility. Talk to your loved one about observing basic safety practices, such as limiting activities that involve heights or walking on slippery surfaces. If necessary, appoint someone to handle things around the house so your loved one isn’t injured trying to keep up with maintenance.

Keep Up with Checkups

Annual health checkups are essential for seniors, since they allow doctors to catch health issues early and treat them before they become serious. Your loved one may also need to see the doctor more frequently if he or she already has health issues, and he or she must always follow up on any screenings that reveal potential problems. Offer to help your loved one with transportation so he or she can stay on top of preventative health care needs.

Plan for Varying Levels of Support

Your parent’s needs will change over time. While your loved one may only need minimal support now, he or she may need supervision around the clock if a serious illness develops. Your loved one may also require assistance if he or she develops a health condition that affects mobility. Find carers now who can tailor their services to fit your loved one’s changing needs as he or she continues to age.

If your senior loved one needs around-the-clock assistance at home, the Sydney live-in care professionals at Home Care Assistance are here to help. Our proprietary Balanced Care Method was designed to promote longevity by encouraging seniors to focus on healthy eating, regular exercise, mental engagement, and other important lifestyle factors.

Help Your Parent Stay Emotionally Well

Your loved one needs to feel emotionally supported to keep up the motivation to take care of his or her health. Plan to surround your loved one with plenty of people who can lift his or her spirits when your parent is feeling down. Keep in mind seniors need multiple social connections, so find ways for your loved one to connect with people outside the house, such as joining a religious organisation or volunteering.

There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional elder care. Sydney families can rely on expertly trained care workers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while ageing in place. For compassionate, reliable in-home care, trust the experienced professionals from Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our dedicated Care Managers today at [hca_phone] to learn about the high quality of our in-home aged care services.