Whether you have an elderly parent, family member, or friend who is living independently in their own home, or else they live with you, you will naturally want to protect them to the best of your ability.
To ensure your loved one has the absolute optimum quality of life in their golden years, continue reading to learn five things to look out for to protect their health as they get older.
Their Home Needs To Be Decluttered & Accessible
A cluttered and eclectic home is by no means solely linked to a member of the older generation, it is simply that, as one gets older, trips and falls are both more likely to happen and are also more likely to have more serious consequences.
Along with a more minimalistic living space, it would also be an exceedingly good idea to install grab bars in the shower and toilet, as well as anti-scald devices on the shower and faucets, and cable tidies where appropriate and non-skid mats in any area of the house that tend to become slippery when wet.
Regular Eye Appointments Should Be Encouraged
Your loved one’s eyesight will naturally degrade as they get older, and it is more important for them to have regular check-ups with the eye doctor.
Additionally, suppose your elderly loved one has been diagnosed with cataracts. In that case, a cataract lens implant operation will make a huge difference to their overall quality of vision and remove any pain, discomfort, or light sensitivity they may have been experiencing for some time.
Meals Should Be Nutritious & Regular
As a person ages, it becomes increasingly important to ensure they are consuming the right quantities of vitamins and minerals, and the easiest way to do this is to incorporate as many different vegetables, lean meats, and natural carbohydrates as possible.
Foodstuffs that are particularly favorable for the inclusion of an older person’s diet are:
- Seafood
- Milk Pudding
- Roast Chicken
- Brown Bread
- Oats and Wheat
- Minced Meat
- Boiled Eggs
- Semolina
- Brown Rice
- Fruit Juices
- Whole Wheat Flour
Social Activities Should Not Be Avoided
If your elderly loved one seems to be withdrawing from family engagements, parties, or even canceling plans to see yourself or friends at the last minute, it is extremely important to not let this become their new normal.
Conversation, communication, and human interaction are an integral part of a healthy life and should be encouraged at every given opportunity.
Bruises & Unexplained Cuts Or Burns Should Be Investigated
As falls and trips become significantly more frequent as a person ages, it may be the case that your loved one has started to either conceal unexplained bruises or else have genuinely no explanation as to how or why said bruise occurred.
This should be taken on a wholly individual basis, and it is important to remember that the skin does tend to bruise more easily as one age.
