Getting older causes changes in reasoning and thinking skills that must be addressed. While your senior loved one may already be doing what he or she can to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, the truth is most people experience some degree of memory loss as they get older. Your loved one may also face difficulty with problem-solving and making sensible judgments. Making a few accommodations in your loved one’s daily routine can help him or her continue to function more independently.
Establish a Schedule with Reminders
One of the easiest ways to address cognitive decline is to set up a routine your loved one follows every day. Knowing that taking medicine comes shortly after breakfast can help him or her stay on top of it. Make a schedule your loved one can follow, and consider putting it in a chart with visual aids. You can also use alarms or transition sounds to help your loved one realize when it’s time to move on to the next item on the agenda.
Assess Driving Abilities
Your loved one might not realize he or she is having difficulty making accurate judgments. Take a drive with your loved one to see if he or she is able to safely decide when to make a turn or ways to avoid a potential accident. If your loved one seems to face challenges with driving, ask if he or she would like transportation assistance. A professional caregiver can help your loved one avoid an accident as his or her abilities further decrease.
Offer Assistance with Financial Tasks
Paying bills, making a budget, and other financial tasks become more difficult when a person is unable to think as clearly as he or she used to. Talk to your loved one about common financial scams to avoid. Then find out if your loved one needs help with managing his or her finances. Unpaid bills or unexplainable purchases are sure signs your loved one is facing challenges in this area.
Be Proactive about At-Home Accident Prevention
Your loved one’s home could be the most dangerous place where he or she spends time. A senior with severe cognitive decline may start to do things such as forgetting to turn off appliances or using chemical cleaners the wrong way. Consider installing appliances with automatic shutoff options when you can, and put away potentially dangerous objects.
Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality at-home care. Trust Home Care to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
Provide Support During Social Interactions
Cognitive decline can also cause your loved one to become isolated. Seniors may begin to avoid social contact when they’re embarrassed about forgetting names or being unable to keep track of what’s being said. You or a companion can accompany your loved one on social outings. Knowing you’re there to fill in a word or explain something that’s confusing can help your loved one feel safe continuing to engage with other people.
A home caregiver can help your loved one find ways to stay engaged and prevent boredom, isolation, and loneliness. For families living in Harrisburg, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Home Care today at (717) 540-4663.