One of the toughest things to experience is your loved ones getting older and losing their independence but here is how you can help them stay independent.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Every senior citizen’s situation is different, of course but many people like to stay in their homes as long as possible.
How do you know when it’s time to get involved and make a move for them?
said Heather Heyerholm, home care coordinator with RAH.
“There are a lot of signs that can kind of indicate when your loved one may need some support in the home – mail piling up, medications being missed, appointments being missed, birthdays being forgotten about. Those can kind of be some common indicators,” said Heather Heyerholm, home care coordinator with RAH. “Maybe there’s been a recent fall or something that’s kind of triggered, ‘oh my goodness, my mom, my grandma, my grandpa needs a little extra support in the home.’”
What are some of those things that we can do to help them?
“There’s non-medical and medical in-home care agencies that can come in and provide care, like Right at Home does, once a month or 24/7, to make sure that they’re safe, they’re eating, they’re taking their medications, regularly bathing and such,” Heyerholm said. “Even just being there, kind of having an intentional conversation with your loved one and asking them, ‘what do you need support with in the home?’ and allowing them to advocate on their behalf.”
Heyerholm added actively listening to them and their needs means you can support them as best as possible and help them stay in their home.
Staying at home also comes with a big cost saving, which she talked about in the video above.
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