Tag: Companion Care at Home in Plymouth MN

As you take care of your elderly loved one, you will likely be over at their house quite a bit. Even if you live farther away, you will likely see your elderly loved one’s home over video chats. When you see their home, you should take some time to look at the placement of furniture, how bright the house is, and other aspects of the home. Many senior citizens need home modifications to help them stay safe and comfortable. Your elderly loved one might need these modifications in their house, too.

Improving the Lighting

One of the home modifications that your elderly loved one might need is improved lighting. There are a lot of senior citizens who can’t see well. As the hours slip away and the house starts getting darker, if the lighting isn’t bright enough, your elderly loved one could easily trip and fall. The safest option would be to get better lighting in their home. There are numerous ways this can be done. You can place lamps throughout your elderly loved one’s house. You can also put motion sensor lighting or nightlights throughout the home, too.

Put Safety First by Removing Clutter

Your elderly loved one might enjoy keeping a lot of things such as electronics, furniture, collectibles, papers, and other things. It is okay for people to enjoy doing this to hold onto memories or to keep things that are important to them. However, if these belongings are starting to make a mess in your elderly loved one’s home, it would be a good idea to go through it all with them. Explain to your elderly loved one that clutter can increase the risk of a fall, a fire in the house, and increase stress of everyone in the home, too. Your elderly loved one doesn’t have to get rid of everything. However, even going through it all and organizing things can help a great deal.

Cleaning the Entryway and Bedroom

Two of the places where your elderly loved one will be at a lot are the entryway and bedroom. These two rooms should be kept clean and organized as much as possible. Some things that you can get to help your elderly loved one do this include:

  • Shoe rack
  • Coat hanger
  • Cubed organizers
  • Hangers
  • Portable closet

These modifications can help your elderly loved one to keep their entryway and bedroom clean. If needed, you or a companion care at home provider can remind your elderly loved one or help them to keep these areas of their home clean each day or week.

Conclusion

There are many home modifications that could help your elderly loved one to be safer and more comfortable. The options above are a good place to start if you are helping your elderly loved one to achieve this goal.

Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/aging-place-growing-older-home

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Plymouth, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.

People need to connect to others. The desire to be social is ingrained and cannot be ignored. If your mom is feeling lonely or isolated, it impacts her health in many ways. Some of those effects can be incredibly detrimental to her physical health. It also affects her mental health.

What Research Finds Regarding Loneliness and Physical Health

Studies find that loneliness impacts physical health in several ways. Lonely people seem to have higher rates of high blood pressure and obesity, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

It’s also been found that isolated and lonely people seem to have a higher risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. The studies are ongoing, but it’s worth making sure your mom isn’t lonely. If there’s even the slightest chance it can lower her risk, it’s worth it.

Another aspect of loneliness and isolation is that you’re not exposed to as many viruses. The immune system weakens and makes your mom’s body have to fight harder if she comes down with a cold or the flu. Socialization can help the immune system work effectively.

The Impact of Loneliness on Mental Health

In addition to the physical effects, her mental health is impacted by loneliness. She may start experiencing anxiety. Anxiety can spiral out of control and increase your mom’s isolation and loneliness.

When anxiety attacks occur, your mom may feel like she’s having a heart attack. Chest pain, difficulty getting a deep breath, and tingling in the extremities are all signs of an anxiety or panic attack. She might feel lightheaded and about to pass out. That may make her retreat and refuse to leave her home for fear of others seeing her that way.

Depression can impact those who are lonely and isolated. If you notice your mom sleeping less or more, becoming disinterested in things she used to love, or withdrawing from family, she could be experiencing depression.

Steps to Take to Help Your Mom

How do you keep your mom from feeling lonely or isolated? Make sure she volunteers as much as possible. Ensure family members and friends visit as often as possible. Beyond that, arrange companion care at home to make sure she’s never alone.

Caregivers stop by to help your mom complete daily activities. While they’re there helping her cook, clean, and do the laundry, they’re also engaging her socially. Call an expert in companion care at home to learn more.

Sources:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks

If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Plymouth, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.