There are many things an older adult needs to be able to do to continue living on their own. Health professionals refer to these as “activities of daily living” or ADLs. ADLs or those tasks a person must be able to do to take care of their physical needs. Basic physical needs include:
- Personal hygiene.
- Dressing.
- Toileting.
- Eating.
- Ambulating.
In addition to basic ADLs, seniors living alone also need to be able to manage more complicated aspects of living, including:
- Managing their finances.
- Keeping the house clean.
- Doing laundry.
- Preparing meals.
- Taking medications correctly.
- Transportation.
Many older adults want to continue living at home, but they may lack the ability to manage some of the tasks listed above on their own. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to mean moving to an assisted living facility. Elderly care can assist with all of these tasks, enabling your senior family member to continue living at home. Some of the tasks elderly care providers can do are:
Preparing Meals and Assisting with Eating
Some conditions can make it hard for seniors to prepare their own meals, such as dementia or Parkinson’s disease. Elderly care providers can prepare healthy meals for the older adult that conform to any special dietary needs they have. In addition, if the senior has difficulty feeding themselves, an elderly care provider can help them to eat.
Housekeeping
Elderly care providers can perform light housekeeping duties, like vacuuming and dusting. They can also do laundry, including stripping beds and washing sheets. With the help of an elderly care provider, your older family member can continue living in a home that is clean and comfortable. They can also have clean clothing, towels, and sheets, helping them to remain clean themselves.
Assist with Dressing, Walking, and Toileting
For older adults who have mobility issues, getting dressed, moving safely around the house or in public, and even using the toilet can be difficult. Elderly care providers are experienced in assisting seniors to do these things safely and with dignity. Having an elderly care provider present to help with these things can also prevent the older adult from suffering a dangerous fall.
Transportation
Many seniors develop conditions and problems that make driving unsafe. However, they still need to be able to do things like get to medical appointments, grocery shop, and go to the post office. An elderly care provider can drive the senior to the places they need to go. And, since elderly care can be scheduled to come at times that are convenient to the older adult, your loved one doesn’t have to wait for someone to have time to drive them places.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elderly care services near Greer, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116. Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.
Sources
- Strategies to Prevent Wandering for Seniors with Alzheimer’s - November 7, 2024
- The Weighing Importance of Senior Home Care in Greenville, SC by Heart of the Carolinas - November 5, 2024
- The Emotional Impact of Hair Changes in Seniors - October 24, 2024
