Elderly care is a very diverse discussion. Extensive concerns have been raised about the lack of adequate support provided for elders. This problem becomes more obvious as the population of many countries ages. National governments, policymakers, and healthcare providers are all making necessary shifts to ensure elders get the necessary support. However, elder care is not just limited to the above-listed entities, it is the responsibility of everyone who has an elder in his or her family.
Caring for an elder entails a lot of things; many people do not have an idea of what it takes. It can be a very rigorous process just like raising a child. Some elders have to depend on others for everything including movement and feeding, which can be very difficult to keep up with. Fortunately, there are diverse innovative ways to make caring for elders a much easier process. They include:
1. Social innovation – Take advantage of interactive initiatives
A key challenge faced by elderly people is alienation. Man is naturally a social being; we thrive on relationships with one another. More often than not, interaction with the world reduces significantly as we age hence giving a sense of irrelevance in the scheme of things. This separation or disconnection from others can be draining psychologically or mentally. It contributes to or hastens the deterioration of the general wellbeing of elders. According to several surveys, elders who considerably remain connected to the world (other people and things happening around them) are able to lead better lives than alienated elders. The mental activeness or sharpness triggered by the connection to others is a great fuel for better well-being.
Today, the way seniors interact with others has been greatly influenced by several factors such as technology, globalization, urbanization, migration, etc. Several initiatives have been launched to address this social problem. Virtual Reality technology is a prime example of the technological advancements that are adding excitement to the lives of people. This social innovation can be controlled by the seniors themselves or work in groups led by programming teams. Enroll your elder in such initiatives to keep them connected to the world. This will solve the huge problems of isolation, loneliness, and depression.
2. Eating Innovations
Usually, eating is an extremely easy task but cognitive and sensory impairments can make it eating extremely difficult for some elders. Dementia is a common age-related sickness that causes impairments of cognitive and sensory abilities in varying degrees. To make feeding easier for elderly people, you should invest in an assistive tableware set. With this innovation, elders with eating difficulties will be able to eat independently hence improving the lives of older people and the people around them. The tableware set is designed in a manner that reduces visual confusion, at the same time stimulates thirst and appetite.
3. Memory Apps
Forgetfulness is another common problem among seniors and it doesn’t necessarily have to be because of Alzheimer disease. Memory is directly linked to age hence there is a high tendency that memory begins to fade as we age. To help seniors and other people suffering from memory issues, specialists have designed apps aimed at daily exercising and sharpening of skills. Memory, problem-solving, speed, attention, and flexibility are some of the skills exercised and sharpened. This consistent brain training or drill has the potential of significantly enhancing the memory of users. Have your senior try these skills sharpening apps out and monitor the results closely. A prime example is Lumosity.
4. Invest in a recliner lift chair
One of the biggest challenges faced by the elderly is related to mobility. As we age, the ease and pace of movement change significantly. It can be so serious for some people that they require assistant standing up or sitting down. This can be stressful and worrisome for people around who have to leave what they are doing to provide support. Besides this, depending on others to sit or stand is usually an unusual experience for elders – it often has mental and emotional effects. Recliner lift chairs are perfect mobility aids for elders. They are designed to lift the users to a point where they can easily stand up. It equally lifts for easy sitting.
Key tips for choosing the best recliner lift chair
- Smooth and quiet recline mechanism
One of the most common problems of recliner lift chairs is movement-related because the design involves more moving parts than most chairs, This blog post https://www.allmodernfurnitureshop.com/posts/lift-chairs-for-the-elderly/ lists some of the best lift chairs on the market today. To ensure you have a lift chair that fulfills purpose, durable and affordable, it is often advised that you choose a lift recliner that reclines smoothly without hassle to ensure elders are safe. Also, choose one that reclines quietly to allow users to use it at any time without disturbing others.
- Sturdiness and stability
The level of movement involved in the use of a lift recliner requires that the construction be very sturdy and stable. Elders falling while trying to sit or stand is one of the leading causes of elder injuries therefore it is important that the lift recliner is constructed with very strong materials that can accommodate the weight of users. The base has to be very stable to avoid tipping.
- Ease of maintenance
Seniors have a high tendency of making a mess hence it is imperative to choose a lift recliner that is easy to clean or maintain. This way, caregivers can easily tidy any mess made. Leather upholstery is very easy to clean though may not be as breathable as other materials.
- Size
A recliner that perfectly fits the size specifications of your senior will provide better support and comfort. You should also consider the size of the room because recliners typically require more space.
Note: regardless of how easy it is to control the lift recliner, it is important to train elders on how to use it and monitor the use closely until you are sure the elder has it figured out.
5. ActiveProtective
This is also an innovation focused on transforming the aging experience by reducing the chances of seniors fracturing their hips due to falling. The company pioneering this innovation developed a single belt that is able to detect possible falls through a fall-in-progress technology. Once a possible fall is detected, airbags are deployed over the hip for protection.
6. Red Button Alarms
This is another innovative way of caring for elders. These alarm systems are made for helpless people such as seniors and disabled individuals. Red button alarms are designed to be worn around the neck or wrist in case of emergencies. There are several organizations responsible for the red button alarm system – once an elder sounds the alarm, there are people on the other end who move swiftly to rescue the situation. This helps you and your elderly person(s) to feel safe when alone at home.
7. Visual Innovation
Vision issues are a common problem among seniors. According to experts, about one out of every three persons who are at least 65 years old has some form of vision problems. To keep seniors with visual problems mobile and unhindered in doing their daily activities, invest in visual aids designed to make them see things as clearly ad people without visual problems. An example of such innovation is eSight; screening is available to check the suitability of this innovation for seniors.
8. The Green House Project
Here is another innovative project designed to solve the problem of seniors’ loneliness and isolation. This project is aimed at reducing caregiving. Caring homes are created for manageable numbers of seniors in an environment that keeps personal growth alive, allowing seniors to remain active in the pursuit of their passions and interests. A common dining table is established for the nurturing of familial experiences hence this project is almost certain to succeed. Get your seniors on this project and watch them enjoy amazing later days.
9. EasyPill
This is an innovative way of helping seniors take their medication without the aid or supervision of other family members or caregivers. This is a huge development because many seniors have trouble taking their medications as prescribed. It is a complicated system that demonstrates the involvement of patients, family, and healthcare givers in giving seniors a sense of independence.
10. Coordinate family visits
Finally, no innovation can replace the impacts of family visits to seniors. The benefits of regular and coordinated family visits are enormous. Don’t just visit your seniors, choose an ideal time for them. Visit during a period you can connect better and spend more time with them. Do things they like to do when they were younger to stimulate their memories. You should also be in touch with the care team as much as possible to ensure you can track their progress and discover new symptoms early enough.
Conclusion
Technology has redefined the way we live, bringing great opportunities out of limitations. Elderly care is not left out of the impacts of technology. If you have been looking for ways to help your elders, regardless of their limitations, to lead better lives and make life easier for you, the innovative ways discussed above are the perfect options. The responsibility of caring for seniors is for everyone.
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