Holiday Weekend Reflection
With July 4th being this past weekend, we hope that you were able to fill your weekend with food, fun, and family. Holidays are a great time of catching up with those you have not seen in a while, making dishes just like grandma used to make and making new memories.
Holidays can also be a time of evaluation. It could be evaluating why you have not talked to your long lost aunt in years, or evaluating why your kids have never met some of their cousins. Maybe it is evaluating what the next step is as far as your aging mother and evaluating changes in health of your dear ones that are graying.
For those who may not see aging relatives day in and day out, seeing them on holidays can really be a time to see changes in their health and well being leading into a discussion about what is next for your loved ones.
Characteristics you may notice are the slowing down of mechanical movements, the loss of weight, senses not being as sharp as they once were, among others.
Though these are not things that are demanding of immediate attention, they are things to be aware of. These are characteristics that are flags of slowing down and potential health risks to come. Observing these things may be startling at first, but they are things that you cannot see over the phone or have seen as vividly before.
What are the necessary steps to take for helping your loved one age in place?
- Speak delicately with your aging relative about what they want to do. Try to speak with them about keeping their independence and empower them to be able to continue being independent. This may be through connecting them with people in their neighborhood or church. This could also be connecting them with some assistive technology to keep them living independently while providing you with peace of mind.
- Collect local resources including people who could act as a stand in caretaker if you are not there, doctor’s phone numbers, neighbors’ information, where you could get meals for your loved one if necessary.
- Speak with you siblings and other relatives about what the options look like as far as having your parents or relatives age in place, move in with one of you or begin to look into home care.
- Continue to monitor the progress of your loved one while you explore options for them. Ensure, though, that their wishes and wants are taken into account. This is their life. Try to enhance it and make it as enjoyable for them as you can.
Keeping your loved one at home and safe is a priority and we are here to help make that a reality. We want to help you help your loved ones as they begin to age and through technology, we want to make that happen. Whether it is controlling their environment, monitoring their habits through sensors or keeping an eye on their medication, SimplyHome is here to help you keep your loved ones at home, living independently and your worried mind at bay.