Ways to Make an Aging Family Member Live More Comfortably

For the seniors in your life, even those simple day-to-day activities that they used to handle with ease can become very difficult. There are several things that you can do to help the aging people in your life cope and feel more independent in the process. The solution isn’t just adaptive technology like home chair lifts for seniors in New Orleans, although these things can help. Here are some habits that you can incorporate to make living independently easier for those you care about.

Encourage Their Sense of Purpose
Seniors who have hobbies and activities that they enjoy doing are more likely than others to feel sad, depressed, or isolated. If you can, encourage your loved ones to participate in activities as part of a group, such as game nights with other like-minded individuals. There are probably a lot of volunteering opportunities for seniors available if you take a moment to look around and research different options.

Put Them in Charge
Seniors who are still responsible for something may feel like they have more of a sense of purpose. For example, companion animals such as a cat or dog can provide a positive reciprocal relationship. If they're engaged socially with another being, they will have a more well-rounded life and this relationship may also help them interact socially with other people. If a companion animal is not possible for your loved one, putting them in charge of something else, like a task or chore around the house, can also be helpful.

Let People Know
One of the things that you should do when you have an aging family member who needs a little more support is just to let people around you know. You don’t have to make a formal announcement, but letting neighbors know to keep an eye out, or letting other family members in on the circumstances can help give your loved one a little more support and help when it’s needed.

Help Them Get Around
Few things will make someone who is aging feel more isolated than having them stuck in the house all day long. Make sure you can help them get around and get to different places by making sure they have transportation available to them. Seniors who are unable to drive anymore can be offered rides by friends and family members, as well as become familiar with public transportation, to help them stay active and get out and about.

Encourage Social Activities and Relationship Building
Helping your senior family members with transportation around town can also help them be much more social, getting out and seeing people. As they develop and maintain relationships with people, they will likely have a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation for their lives.

Promote the Use of Adaptive Technology
It's not only important that your loved one is able to move around town. They also need to be able to get around the house and navigate the smaller details of their immediate home life. Whether this means installing home chair lifts for seniors in New Orleans, or investing in fixtures and appliances that will make life easier and more convenient for your loved one, the change doesn’t have to be huge, but can make a huge difference.