How to Help an Ageing Parent Stay Independent

What happens when your patients are starting to struggle with their independence, and it’s becoming obvious that they need more help?

But the thing is, when done correctly, you can help your parents to remain living independently without taking over and allow them to continue living life on their terms, so they retain control and autonomy regardless of age.

Let’s take a look at how you can help an ageing parent stay independent living in their home.

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Remove Trip Hazards

Falls are one of the most common causes of serious injury in seniors. And for the majority of people, these falls happen at home. It is tripping on rugs, cables, stairs or areas of uneven flooring in dim lighting. Cluttered spaces and bathrooms, especially, are the most common causes of falls in the home.

But by identifying trip hazards and removing them, ie, using non-slip mats in the bathrooms, removing rugs or securing them to the floor, adding grab bars for uneven flooring or steps in the home or improving lighting can help you to ensure your parents are safer at home and have adjustments they can rely on for increased safety and movement around their home.

Stay On Top of Medication

If your parents need medication to help them manage health conditions, then helping them stay on top of things is a great way to help them.

You might find that setting up automatic prescription requests with their pharmacy and getting medications dropped off is helpful, removing the need for them to constantly contact their doctors. Or you might find that separating medications into pill dispensers for every day morning or evening helps keep things on track and allows you to identify missed or double doses. Talking to their doctor or pharmacist about a medical review could be a good choice to make, too.

Get Outside Help

Not all seniors are open to having help, but approached correctly, you can get support where it’s needed. 

There are various services you can rely on. You can get a cleaner in a couple of times a week to help, you can have a handyperson service come in and do small tasks like gardening or repairs as required a meal delivery services could be a good option, as can home care services that deliver support at home for tailored care could be exactly what you need but identify what will be helpful and that can remove stress and worry for everyone.

Help Them Stay Active

Focusing on mobility is a great way to help your parents stay more independent. You don’t need a formal exercise program; in fact, there are thousands of mobility workouts online you can use to help them where they are now.

Focusing on functional movements, i.e., squats for sitting and standing up, or gentle stretching, can be beneficial, and balance work could be a good choice here, too. Focus on where your parents might need help, and find what activities will support their lives and bodies and help them do these regularly.