Help Your Aging Parents Stay Independent Longer

While many retired people balk at the idea of moving into a senior living community, as their adult children, you may worry about your parents’ safety when living alone. Moving to a senior living community is one of the best ways for parents who need a little help to continue living independently. Seniors in assisted living have access to as much (or as little) assistance as they need while still staying out of a nursing home.

At PeachTree Place Assisted Living Community near Ogden, UT, we understand the importance of balancing independence and assistance, which is why we work hard to create a comfortable, caring, and welcoming environment for our community members to enjoy.

How To Help Your Parents Continue Living Independently

  • Install Assistive Devices
  • Prepare For Emergencies
  • Check-In With Your Parents Regularly
  • Hire An In-Home Caregiver
  • Consider Assisted Living

Install Senior Assistive Devices

If your parents struggle with mobility, sight, or hearing impairment, assistive technology can help them continue living on their own at home. The exact type of equipment will depend on individual needs, but some possible devices may include:

  • Medical Alert System
  • Entry Ramp
  • Stair Lift
  • Elevated Toilet Seats
  • Roll-In Showers
  • Shower Mat & Grab Bars
  • Lift Chairs
  • Handrails
  • Doorbell Signaler
  • Strobe Light Smoke Detectors
  • Assistive Telephones
  • Nightlights

Prepare Elderly Parents For Emergencies

If your parents are living alone, it’s critical that they know what to do in the event of an emergency. Perhaps you could schedule a family meeting to discuss and practice what to do if there’s a fire, medical emergency, or home intruder.

In addition to having easily accessible telephones throughout the house, you might want to consider giving your parents wearable panic buttons to use if they fall and are unable to reach the phone. Also, if they are hard of hearing, it may be wise to install smoke alarms that flash bright lights or vibrate.

Check-In With Your Parents Regularly

By frequently calling and visiting your parents, you can help make sure that they’re doing alright and are able to take care of themselves while living independently. Plus, they’ll probably be happy to hear from you, since living alone during retirement can be lonely.

It’s essential to respect their boundaries and avoid being overly intrusive. However, it’s worth noting that if your parents are struggling a lot with daily tasks or have trouble remembering when to take their medication, it might be time to consider a bit more assistance.

Hire A Caregiver For Your Senior

An in-home caregiver can assist your parents with routine tasks that they may struggle with. The exact duties of the caregiver will vary based on their job description, but they may include grocery shopping, meal preparation, medication management, and basic housekeeping.

Consider Assisted Living

If your parents don’t like the idea of living with a caregiver, senior apartments can help them retain even more independence. They’ll be able to live in a private, personalized, pet-friendly senior apartment while only receiving as much assistance as they feel necessary. You won’t have to worry about the risk of an accident happening with no one around to help. (Remember, assisted living apartments are not the same as nursing homes!)

Utah Assisted Living Near Me

At PeachTree Place Assisted Living Community near Ogden, UT, we provide individualized care to each of our residents according to their unique situation so that they can maintain maximum independence while still having access to immediate support if they need it. We also offer dementia care, Alzheimer’s care, senior nursing care, and other long-term care options for residents who need a bit more daily assistance. Contact us today for more information.

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