It can be challenging to care for elderly parents. There are many things to consider from the level of care they need, the medical services they require for their preferred living arrangements. It is important to not only have their specific medical needs met but also ensure they are living in a safe environment, leading active lifestyles, and also have the opportunity to socialize. Image Credit: A Place For Mom
Here are four things to consider when looking after your elderly loved ones in Singapore:
1. Home Safety
Whether your elderly loved ones are living alone, or with other family members, their rooms and the areas they frequent must be modified to suit their needs. The following are a few tips to ensuring a home is safe and easy for your elderly parent to move around in.
- Instal handrails. Bathrooms, showers, and staircases should be equipped with sturdy handrails to provide support and reduce the risks of falling.
- Buy comfortable furniture. A raised mattress will make it easier to get in and out of bed.
- Proper lighting. Rooms and staircases should be well-lit so your elderly loved ones can see where they are going.
- Remove clutter. Excess furniture, loose wires, and rugs should be removed before they cause any accidents.
- Accessibility of important items. Everyday items such as cooking ware, food, and dishes should be accessible. Telephones should be installed in the bathroom so that it is within reach in case of emergencies.
2. Medication Management
Medication management is tricky for elderly loved ones who might have poor eyesight or have trouble with memory. They must take their medicines as prescribed to maintain good health and manage their health conditions.
- Label and arrange drugs properly. Drugs should be labelled in bold letters and arranged in specific drawers and compartments so that it will be much easier for them to remember which is the correct medication to take.
- Proper supervision. It is best if these medications are taken under your or a caretaker’s supervision.
3. Regular Exercise
It is important that your elderly loved ones stay active so that they can stay strong and healthy. Introducing physical activities into their day-to-day routines will benefit and improve their quality of life. Encourage them to start small and light and gradually increase the duration and frequency.
Health Promotion Board’s National Physical Activity Guidelines recommend 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity (like brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity (like jogging). This still depends on your loved one's health and physical conditions so they should ask their doctor for the kinds of exercises they can do.
4. Companionship
If your elderly loved one lives alone, there is a high possibility for them to get lonely. Visiting them often can help alleviate some of this loneliness.
Another option is availing of a live-in caregiver service that can provide care and constant companionship for your loved one.
Alternatively, there are community care services such as the Senior Activity Centre. This offers services such as free consultation to the elderly and is also the perfect communal place for socializing and recreation.
Elderly Care Services
Most often, the family decides to take on the task of caring about their elderly loved ones.
Caregiver training is available for those who want to learn and equip themselves with skills needed to accommodate their elderly loved one’s needs. Meanwhile, a home care giving grant of $200 can be used to alleviate the costs of caregiver support services.
However, when an elderly loved one requires a greater level of attention than you can give, it may compromise your job and your well-being if you try to do it alone. This, in turn, may lead to a care giving burden.
Elderly Care Services are made available to alleviate some of the stress that caregivers feel.
Elderly care services are care giving services provided by home care services, senior group homes, rehabilitation homes, and nursing homes. These services were designed to help elderly people with disabilities, health conditions, and other illnesses.
Whether it is for daily or for long-term assistance, it is good to be aware of when to enlist additional help and also of the array of care services available for your loved ones.
Day Care Centres
There are a variety of Day Care Centres available that for a short period can provide support and momentary relief for caregivers. These centres ensure that your loved ones receive care and support while you are away.
Senior Day Care can offer daily short-term assistance when a caregiver needs to go to work or needs time off. Staff at the Senior Day Care will provide your loved one with food, medicine reminders as well as assistance to go to the toilet should they need it.
Respite Care can provide daily, several days, or even weeks of assistance depending on the arrangement. Their services include nursing care for seniors as well as recreational activities. This is a good option for clients whose caregivers are momentarily out of the country.
Day Rehabilitation Centres are also available for seniors who want to get stronger and improve their mobility. It is also good for seniors who are recovering after fall, to help regain their confidence and independence so they can continue living a fulfilling life.
Independent living with a community
This living arrangement is ideal for elderly people who prefer to live independently and can take care of their own needs. They may prefer to move around in their community safely, without the supervision of any caretaker.
If your parents want to live alone but find it hard to cook for themselves, there are some home services that can save them the trip to the grocery store. Meals on Wheels is a meal delivery program that can deliver food to your loved ones if they are unable to buy or prepare meals for themselves.
Meanwhile, if your meeting is scheduled at the same time as their doctor's appointment, you can avail of a medical escort service for them which both transport and accompany them to the hospital for their medical appointment.
Home care
If your loved one prefers to stay in a familiar environment, availing of home care services might be best for them.
if you're loved one is having trouble walking or maintaining their home, it might be a good idea to look into hiring trained caregivers. A caregiver can provide both companionship and specialised care for your loved ones who need assistance with activities of daily living or who are living alone with chronic illnesses.
A caregiver can provide a better quality of life for your loved one and make sure your loved one is eating well, lives in a clean home, and is taking their medication as prescribed. There is an option to have both a live-in or an hourly caregiver.
There are also healthcare services available at home. These home care services include home therapy, home nursing, and home personal care. Home Therapy is ideal for loved ones who need occupational therapy or speech therapy and would be more comfortable available of the service in the comfort of their own homes.
Assisted living with a community
A public housing concept called Community Care Apartments is also available and for a subscription to a Basic Service Package, your elderly loved ones can live in a senior-friendly flat with 24-hour monitoring.
It has community-based services and community-building programs that alleviate loneliness as residents would get the opportunity to socialize with others while enjoying recreational activities. Residents can also avail themselves of shared care giving and household services like meal delivery and housekeeping at an additional cost.
Living in a nursing home
Nursing homes are perfect for seniors who need help with long-term medical services and require assistance with activities of daily living such as walking, eating, and maintaining personal hygiene. Among the medical services provided are nursing care, physiotherapy, dental care, and others.
Nurses are on duty and provide residential care round the clock so you can be sure there is professional care for your loved one should they need it.
Conclusion
When looking after an elderly parent, it is important to take into consideration of their needs and preferences when deciding the best care options for them. The variety of healthcare services ensures that you can set up an arrangement that will improve their quality of life and benefit your well-being as well. To achieve this, it is important to keep open communication between you and your parent. This will ensure they will receive the best care that is suited to their needs and level of comfort.
