Keeping your elderly family member both active and safe is part of what you want to accomplish as a caregiver. There are some factors to consider that can make that task a lot easier for both of you.
Stand Slowly and Carefully
Anytime that your senior has been sitting or even lying down it’s a good idea for her to take her time getting up. Just trying to jump up and take off can leave her off balance and might lead to a fall. It’s a much better idea for her to slowly slide to the edge of the seat and carefully stand. If she needs any assistive devices, she should use those.
Wear the Right Shoes
The right shoes, particularly ones that fit properly, are vital for keeping her safe and allowing her to stay as active as she wants to be. Ideally, your senior’s shoes should have a non-slip sole and they should be comfortable. Make sure they’re neither too tight nor too loose as well.
Get Her Eyes Checked
If your elderly family member isn’t seeing well, it’s a lot more difficult for her to avoid obstacles, of course. That directly impacts her safety, but both of you might overlook how it impedes her ability to stay active, too. Encourage your senior to get her eyes checked regularly to ensure that her vision is corrected, if necessary.
Get Plenty of Quality Sleep
Sleep deprivation can be a big impediment in terms of both safety and activity for your senior. If she’s getting plenty of sleep, that’s going to help her to have the rest she needs in order to be more active. As she’s more active, that helps her to sleep well, so it’s a cycle you want to encourage.
Make Sure Her Medications Are Still Working for Her
It’s a good idea for your elderly family member to talk to her doctor regularly about her medications and how well they’re working for her. Over time, medications may start to affect her differently or they may interact with each other. Adjusting dosages or the medications themselves can help quite a bit.
Cut Back or Eliminate Alcohol
Some medications might cause worse side effects for your senior if she drinks alcohol. Some of those side effects could contribute to concerns about safety. Cutting back or eliminating alcohol completely might be the way to go.
It’s a good idea to help your senior to spend her time and her energy wisely. When she’s got help from elder care providers, they can handle the heavy-duty tasks and allow her to focus on staying as safe as possible while doing what she enjoys.
