Looking after your grandparents – 5 tips to improve their quality of life

Looking after your grandparents – 5 tips to improve their quality of life

With age, comes changes. This can be a slow change for many, with quality of life becoming something very different. There may of course be medical issues, but more often, it’s down to a great change in day to day life. The family has grown up and moved on, friends and neighbours may have moved away, and life has really slowed down.  Having family and friends to support our older members of the community and our family is so important to ensure physical, emotional, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Here are five ways you you can help achieve that.

1. Make it easier for seniors to live independently

As long as a person is fit and healthy – there is no need for them to be cocooned away from society. We all need a connection to our life and the people around us, and we all need to feel useful and in control of our lives – whether that’s just managing daily schedules and engaging in activities of interest, it’s important for our seniors to be able to do as much or as little of this as is preferred.

Independent home living is also incredibly important for older people, however, you also want to ensure that person is safe. For peace of mind, and to ensure help is on hand should the need arise, it’s really important to provide seniors with a reliable medical alert system. Always use a professional guide alongside reviews of popular models in the market, such as Life Assure reviews, to pick the best device for your loved one. There are lots of different devices available, with a choice of functions that will suit every need.

2. Recognise and treat signs of depression

Depression among the elderly is quite common, but is not a normal part of ageing, as it is primarily caused by a feeling of worthlessness, neglect, and unpleasant environments. To help seniors improve the quality of their lives, you need to quickly recognise symptoms of depression and help your loved one find the proper treatment. Some of the most common symptoms to watch out for include; persistent sadness, insomnia, irritability, and loss of interest in life.

3. Encourage them to take up hobbies and exercise

An efficient way to help seniors keep their spirits high is to ensure they remain active by taking up hobbies and regularly exercise. Talk with your loved one’s doctor on the best low-impact exercises that they can engage in. You should then encourage them to get more involved in their hobbies to help them manage anxiety and boredom as they enjoy peaceful time on their own.

4. Keep them focused on mental activities

There are many brain exercises and activities that you can introduce to your ageing loved ones to help them stay mentally sharp. These range from games like Sudoku and crossword puzzles to reading and storytelling, which help improve cognitive function and maintain an overall sense of wellbeing.

5. Increase their social interactions

Caring for ageing seniors calls for attention to their social needs to avoid the feeling of being left out. Help your loved ones fight loneliness by making it easier for them to get in touch with close friends and family members. You should also challenge them to connect with the world by going out more often, joining interest groups, and visiting new places.

It takes more than the basics to ensure your ageing loved ones lead a quality life and these tips can help you provide the best support for a happier lifestyle for your ageing family members.