What Services Do Seniors Need Most?
Aging is both a natural and inevitable part of life. Heading into the golden years is a moment people should embrace for what it is and the potential it holds.
That said, it’s also important to recognize the changes and possible limitations involved in the aging process. While maintaining a sense of independence is a priority for many aging adults, pinpointing those trouble areas that are easy to overlook.
For many people, keeping a sense of empowerment and positivity intact often comes down to the decision to age in place. However, knowing where help is needed is a good strategy for staying safe and stronger for even longer! So, what services do seniors need most? Let’s take a look.
Cleaning and Home Maintenance
Living in a safe, clean, and organized environment is vital for aging seniors. That said, cleaning tasks may not be as easy to complete as they once were.
Many individuals who opt to age in place will need to incorporate house cleaning services into their lifestyle. Having professionals take care of a monthly deep clean and weekly dust-over can make a huge difference in eliminating the risk of falls and slips while cleaning.
Those wondering what services do seniors need most? will also need to consider home maintenance standards. Activities like mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, or changing light bulbs might not be possible for a senior at a certain point. Having professionals or family members on hand to handle those tasks keeps a residence safe while reducing the risk of injury to a loved one.
Mobility Strategies and Resources
When looking at what services do seniors need most, mobility assistance often sits at the top of the list. Whether it’s help moving around during an errand out or within their residence, keeping seniors safe begins with making mobility issues a priority.
Changes to a home may be necessary to make independent mobility more accessible and less risky. An excellent place to start is widening doorways for wheelchairs, adding ramps, and making sure showers have handrails.
As mobility issues become more of a concern, increasing the hours a caretaker spends at home may be necessary. Similarly, it may indicate that it’s time to upgrade home enhancements to include chair lifts or even hospital beds.
Personal Care Standards
Just as they did when they were younger, senior citizens have to attend to personal care needs. That might include assistance with everything from grooming and bathing to dressing for the day ahead.
In the vast majority of cases, a family member or home health professional will need to step in. Making sure the basics are covered daily is important for health standards and overall quality of life for seniors.
Transportation
It’s common for seniors to give up their driving rights at a certain point in life. That may be due to cognitive or physical changes that make driving unsafe. Either way, giving up a license makes “driving assistance” a critical answer to the question, what services do seniors need most?
It’s important to have options in place for seniors so they can get where they need to go when they are no longer able to take themselves there. Perhaps you need to hire a dedicated caretaker who can get your elderly family member or loved one to necessary medical appointments. Or maybe you can find a local family member willing to drive them to social functions or help with errands.
Medication Control
Aging often comes with increased medication use as the body requires more support to remain healthy and strong. However, this doesn’t always go hand-in-hand with cognitive changes that are happening simultaneously.
Many seniors will require assistance keeping track of daily medication requirements. They also may need help scheduling and tracking associated doctor appointments and check-ups.
Initially, family members may be able to help with medication tracking. As medical needs increase, it may be worthwhile to call on a professional in-home caretaker to assist with this type of regulation.
Nutrition Assistance
Healthy nutrition is an integral part of everyone’s well-being. While the need for nutritious meals doesn’t change for seniors, the ability to keep up with cooking typically does.
Having family members willing to prepare meals for seniors aging in place is a good strategy. If the process becomes too consuming, meal delivery services are regularly available to ensure seniors enjoy regular and nutritious meals every day of the week.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.
