How Can You Help Your Elderly Loved One Care for Themselves?
There are times when everyone needs a little reminder about how to care for themselves – both physically and mentally. This is especially true for the elderly. Sometimes, an elderly person doesn’t feel like it is important to care for themselves. For instance, they may only take a shower every few days. However, caring for oneself goes deeper than just bathing regularly. When it comes to proper care, this is why family caregivers and elderly care providers might need to help the elderly person in their life.
Get Moving
Studies show that one of the most important things a person can do to keep mentally and physically healthy is to get moving. This can mean encouraging your elderly loved one to take a walk a few times during the week. It can mean taking your elderly loved one out with their friends to play tennis or go swimming. There are many ways that an elderly person can add a little movement into their lifestyle. Just remember it is best if your elderly loved one starts out by doing beginner to moderate activities. This will help to ensure their safety. If you can’t keep an eye on your loved one when they first start exercising, you might want to hire an elderly care provider to do this.
Drinking Enough Water
Water is essential in keeping a person healthy. Unfortunately, most people don’t consume enough of it throughout the day. As a family caregiver or elderly care provider, you should always encourage the elderly person in your life to drink between 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. This will help them to stay hydrated and healthy. To help your elderly loved one achieve their daily water goal, try sitting down with them to make a chart. Have them put the chart up on a wall or in an area of their home so it is easily visible. This will be a reminder for them to drink their water and help them see their progress.
Eating Better
Eating better isn’t always an easy task. However, it is a goal that everyone should try to achieve. Eating better can make a person healthier – both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, it can often be difficult to get an elderly person to eat the proper foods. If your elderly loved one doesn’t seem to be eating well you can try helping them plan their meals. You can also take the time to sit down to share a meal with them. If this isn’t possible for any reason, you can hire elderly care providers to have meals with your loved one.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to help an elderly loved one care for themselves. There are so many tasks a person has to do on a daily basis. However, encouraging your elderly loved one to exercise, eat better, and drink lots of water can help them to live a happier, healthier life.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5342846/
If you or an aging loved one is considering elderly care in Suwanee, GA, please contact the caring staff at Medi-Cure Home Care. Call today: (770) 755-1394.