Watching a family member grow old can be challenging at times, especially if they face health concerns that impact their quality of life. Knowing what to do to support them isn’t always easy, either, and it’s hard to say the right thing when it comes to the aging process, as well as the assistance they might need as their health begins to decline. We understand how tough it can be when you want to do everything you can to help but aren’t sure where to start, so we’ve developed this guide to help you effectively support a senior family member as they age.
Express Your Concerns
Often, senior citizens refuse help out of pride, and the fear of being a burden to family members, even if their relatives are keen to support them. Clearly expressing your concerns and talking openly about the challenges that you think your loved one might be facing is the best way to show them that despite their increased care needs, they can still turn to you for help. With open and honest dialogue, you’ll be able to more effectively have the conversations that matter the most.
Assess Their Needs
Everyone is different, and this is especially the case for senior citizens. Most elderly people will have unique care needs, and some people need more support than others, so closely assessing your family member’s needs is crucial to unlocking the support they need to maintain their quality of life. Some key things to look out for and discuss as part of an initial assessment include:
• Is your family member mobile, and can they move around their home independently?
• Do they have any memory loss conditions, or have they shown symptoms of memory loss before?
• Have they got any complex care needs that require support from a trained nurse or another medical professional?
• Are they at a healthy weight? Can they safely buy, cook and eat their own meals?
Knowing which areas your family member might need more support in can help you to determine the level of care they need and whether it’s safe for them to keep living at home.
Consider Senior Living
If you and your family member feel that life is a little too challenging living at home, then considering a senior living housing option might be the best thing you ever do. Senior living has come a long way from traditional care homes, and now facilities offer state-of-the-art living in the heart of local communities. For seniors, this approach is a fantastic way to stay engaged with what’s happening in the local area and make friends to live alongside during their twilight years. Belmont Village offers senior living Dallas that’s a great example of the modern, high-class senior living facilities that you can choose from.
While everyone’s circumstances are unique, these top tips will give you a starting point to discuss what the future looks like with your aging family member. By being optimistic about the help that’s available and considering some of the best senior living facilities to support them as they age, you can help the senior family member in your life live their happiest days as they grow old gracefully.
