As your family gets older, it’s harder to not be faced with the difficult decision of what’s best when it comes to their care. Although putting an aging relative in a nursing home might be the most practical solution, it is not always the best choice for everyone. If you and your loved ones still have the ability to provide quality care for your older family members, there are some ways you can go about making sure they have the best quality of care possible without looking into nursing homes.
Make Her Home Accessible
If your grandmother’s home is not easily accessible for someone with limited mobility, make changes to ensure that she can safely navigate her space without help from you or any other caregiver throughout the day. This may include adding ramps or grab bars in the bathroom, widening doorways, or installing stair lifts. If needed, consider hiring a contractor to evaluate her home and make recommendations for modifications to increase accessibility where it’s needed.
Hire In-Home Help
For those with home care needs, hiring in-home help can be a great solution. With home care providers experienced in providing medical and emotional support, families can be assured that their loved ones will receive the care they need regardless of the hour or availability of family members. Engaging home care services not only provides consistent and reliable home care, but also enables peace of mind knowing that your grandmother is always supported.
Take Advantage of Technology
Today’s technology can make caring for an elderly loved one much easier than it used to be. Along with the classic heart monitor and smart home appliances, there are now devices available that monitor vitals such as blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels remotely; these devices connect to smartphones so that family members can keep tabs on their loved one’s health even when they are away from home. Additionally, there are many apps designed specifically for caregivers that offer helpful information about eldercare and provide reminders for medications and appointments.
Get Support From Family
Caring for an elderly loved one can be incredibly challenging—but you don’t have to go it alone! Reach out to other family members who may be willing and able to help out with visits or running errands; this will give you some much-needed respite while ensuring that your grandmother gets the attention she needs. Additionally, consider joining a local support group where you can meet other people with similar experiences; this will allow you to get advice from others who have walked a similar path.
Taking care of an elderly relative is often hard work but it doesn’t have to mean putting them in a nursing home if you and your family can’t or don’t want to. Instead, there are plenty of ways you can provide quality care while still allowing them to remain in familiar surroundings. By implementing some simple strategies like making their homes more accessible, hiring in-home help, taking advantage of technology tools, and getting support from other family members, you can create an effective plan for caring for your grandmother without having to resort to placing her in a facility outside of her own home environment. With love and dedication on your part—and patience on hers—you both can continue living happily together under one roof.
Written by: Kara Masterson
About the author: Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.