4 Steps To Take When Aging Dad Needs Help
Are you worried about your elderly dad’s safety at home in Philadelphia, PA? Well, you are not alone!
Aging is something that you can’t control. And at some point in time, it affects all the families. If your dad is healthy and living independently, there’s nothing to worry about. However, the time does come when aging can take a toll on your dad’s health and require long-term care.
Understanding their needs and making decisions accordingly can be a nerve-wracking task, especially if you are a busy professional. However, to make it simpler for you, here we will discuss some of the steps you can take to make your dad stay safe and healthy at home. So, let’s get started:
1. Understand Your Dad’s Needs
As said earlier, understanding your dad’s needs can be challenging as you are unsure about what exactly should be done. However, you can solve this issue by focusing on key areas including:
● Meal preparation
● Home safety
● Medical needs
● Social interaction
● Family support
● Cognitive health
However, if you live far away from your dad, focusing on the above key areas can become quite a challenge. So, to make sure that your dad is safe and healthy at home, seeking professional help from in home health care Philadelphia, PA can be your wise move. The caregiver will manage all the daily household activities and chores and will get rid of your dad’s loneliness.
2. Involve Your Dad In The Process
As your dad ages, he will be more concerned about losing their independence. Thereby, it is wise to involve your dad when you are planning for his care at home. At first, he may act stubborn, but you need to discuss this with him effectively.
Never try forcing any changes very fast. Until the situation is urgent, make them used to accepting assistance by staying focused on essential requirements. Then, slowly include them until he gets every assistance.
3. Take Care Of Home Safety Basics
When it comes to taking care of your elderly dad, you need to make sure that your home is safe for him. Any hazard in your space can make it easier for your aged dad to slip and fall.
Here are some of the simple home fixes you should consider:
● Add lighting to make every room brighter.
● Make sure all the switches are accessible
● Add grab bars and railings on stairs
● Minimize the need to use step-stools or bend down low
So, eliminating hazards from your home can go a long way in keeping your elderly dad independent for a long time.
Please see the infographic below to learn more on renovations to make your home a safe place for an aging dad.
4. Ensure Simple Communication
You need to ensure that your dad can call the near and dear ones for any help. Besides safety, loneliness can cause serious health issues. So, make sure they can easily access their phones and connect with you or others.
Also, investing in a wearable medical alert device can be your best bet. It is also known as a personal emergency response system that can help your dad to get help during an emergency, whether it is a medical issue, a fire, or any event that requires immediate action.
Summing Up
Taking care of your elderly dad can be challenging, especially if you are a busy professional who stays far away from him.
However, you can still take care of your aged dad by following the tips mentioned above.