Caring for a much-loved older family member doesn’t have to be a burden or a daily battle. It does require balancing your loved one’s needs and your needs, but the trick is to just take things one step at a time, then one day at a time.

Use our helpful tips below to make the experience more enjoyable for you and your loved one.

More Enjoyable Meal Times

Meal times for most of us are unfortunately a rush, and sitting down as a family has to be forced, if at all. Generally, this is a habit that needs to change in order to achieve a better quality of life and an older family member will be used to the tradition of family meals as well.

Get them out of bed, dress them if they can’t do it unassisted, ask them to fold napkins at the table and to set as many place settings as they can. If they are more mobile, ask them to choose familiar items to put on the table. 

Diversify The Days

If your beloved family member has reduced mobility or lucidity, it might seem counter-intuitive to battle to get them out and about. However, research shows that this is exactly what they need. By keeping active, the advancement of dementia slows and the risk of depression reduces. Your family member also gets a little more exercise with moving, twisting, reaching, balancing, etc. Try different destinations to keep their minds active. It doesn’t have to be elaborate ‒ a different park will suffice, or watching the grandkids play sports.

Daily Participation

While an elderly family member has earned their rest and retirement, it is healthy for them to feel like they are still part of the family team. It gives them a purpose and a sense of independence. Encourage them to help with small chores like clearing away dinner plates, wiping the table, walking the dog (which can be them sitting in the park while the dog runs), hanging up small items of washing (bigger items will be a strain for people using non-invasive ventilation) or watering and caring for the household plants. 

Daily Habits

When taking on the care of a loved one, your first aim is usually to get them to fit in with your schedule, as it makes sense not to upheave your entire day, every day. However, it is important to realise that the family member also needs some of their daily habits kept in order to make them feel comfortable and less stressed. 

Perhaps they have a favourite program they watch or a preferred way of being served food, such as they prefer to dish it from bowls onto their plate. Perhaps they like their tea in a teacup. It is respectful and compassionate to accommodate some adaptions without making it unpleasant for you or them.

Next Steps

We hope these helpful tips answered some questions for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Limitless Health if you have more questions. For help with the non-invasive ventilation kit at home, call us today.