Tips on helping to keep older people independent in their homes

by James P. Outreach & PR Executive

As people get older, so it can be harder to remain independent. For example, what might once have been a routine task (e.g. topping up boiler pressure) can become more troublesome.

There are, however, plenty of relatively easy adaptations and changes that can be introduced to help older people stay independent for longer.

Adapt

Since even small incidents can result in serious injuries as we age, it's vital that we implement safety precautions around our elderly relatives’ homes. Although challenges such as bleeding a radiator may be too strenuous for them to do alone, there are many smaller adaptions you can make to encourage their independence.

Slippery floors

Since water on the floor or slippery surfaces can cause our elderly loved ones to fall and hurt themselves, additional safety precautions should be implemented in bathrooms to help prevent this from happening. By installing rails and grab bars around the bathroom to help them get into the bath, shower, or walk towards the toilet, they will have support for when they’re moving from A to B.

For homes that only include a shower in the bathroom, installing a shower bench will mean your elders won’t have to stand up while showering, helping prevent the risk of slipping.

The danger of tripping

Although rugs might not be what initially spring to mind when you think of safety hazards in the home, these can result in serious injury for elderly people. For those that have small children or grandchildren that play with small toys, e.g. Lego bricks, these pieces can get tangled in the rug’s fur and become unnoticeable to elderly people whose vision may have deteriorated. Ultimately, this can cause injury if they stand on the hard pieces.

With this said, removing thick rugs or carpets is another effective way to limit accidents from occurring.

Within easy reach

To help limit any form of strenuous activity that could potentially result in injury, making the likes of food and other resources around the home easily accessible is advised. For example, moving all food in the kitchen cupboards and drawers to a reachable height without having to stand on a chair or strain to reach something will help prevent older people from falling or straining their muscles.

Keep out the cold

Ensuring that all heating and electricity is working in our parents’ or grandparents’ homes is essential, especially as the colder months approach. With this said, it's important that extra steps are taken to ensure that winter warmers are being maximised. For example, reorganising the furniture in our elders’ homes so that they aren’t blocking any radiators, or advising them to dry clothes on a clothes horse or a rail instead of a radiator are effective ways to maximise the heat stored in their homes.

Keeping in touch

Ensuring that independence doesn’t develop into loneliness in our elders is vital. Making sure they are in regular contact with a friend, family member, or carer will help ensure they always have someone to talk to whenever needed.

Thanks to technology, keeping them in touch with the outside world has never been made easier. Other than being able to call or FaceTime our elderly relatives wherever we are in the world, there are free help and support line services available. The Silver Line, for example, offers confidential helpline services whereby advice, support, or a friend is on hand 24/7 every day of the year. Educating our elders on services like this and providing them with the contact information if ever needed will help show them that support is there whenever they feel lonely or need a chat.

Other than this, arranging regular visits with a home care provider will ensure they are given regular face-to-face contact with someone that is vital for supporting their mental wellbeing.

Exercise and Diet

Other than our elders’ emotional wellbeing, their physical health is equally important. For them to maintain a physically healthy state as well as their independence, creating a diet plan is advised. While creating the diet plan, make sure to consider any health conditions that might affect the type of foods that is best and worst for them to eat.

Other than food, ensuring they are always hydrated is essential. With this said, make sure to make a note of the fluid intake they should consume during every meal and during the day. Creating a diet plan for them that includes all aspects of their food and water consumption will allow them to maintain a healthy lifestyle without the added pressure of finding foods that are right for them – or worse, having no diet plan at all.

Other than their diet, encouraging them to partake in regular exercise in their homes will keep them physically active and improve their cognitive functioning. This could be done by writing them an exercise plan or even purchasing some exercise videos for them to watch and join in with. Exercise is also an effective way for them to relieve any stresses or anxieties they may be feeling. Lastly, it might also be worth investigating supplements to help with maintaining good health.

Other precautions

Other than the more obvious things that you can do to help support your elderly loved ones’ independence, there are additional precautions you can take to help excel this.

Leave emergency contact numbers around the different rooms in their homes in case there is ever an urgent occurrence that needs to be dealt with immediately. Encourage them to make the most of home deliveries for their weekly shopping rather than them having to leave their home – especially as the colder months approach and icy surfaces amplify the hazards of the outside world.

As for their medical needs that require attending to, having regular contact with their nurse or GP so you are up to date with all the latest medical prescriptions or routines they need to follow is essential. That way, you can leave reminders around the home or set alarms for them during the day to remind them to take the medicine they require.

It can be a challenge trying to implement ways that support both our elders’ health and their independence since these are something we all value. However, adapting and implementing some new techniques and features around their homes will help make their everyday living safer and easier.