Busy with Work and No Time to Go Home? How to Plan Elderly Care as If You Were Nearby

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26 / 03 / 2024

Today, people lead busy lives, often juggling multiple commutes, heavy workloads, and urgent meetings!

As a result, many individuals may struggle to find time to care for elderly family members who are living alone at home. According to Thai Rath Online, there has been a continuous increase in households with elderly individuals living alone or as couples since 1990.

As people age, they often require increasing care, especially those living alone at home. In addition to health risks, there are also heightened safety concerns.

Therefore, planning for the care of elderly individuals at home is crucial for every family to understand and prepare for in advance, so that they can live happily. Let's plan for elderly care as if we are always nearby, in a way that suits those who are busy working and have little time to be at home!

Create a comfortable and safe living environment for elderly individuals.

Elderly individuals often spend most of their time at home. Therefore, when their children or relatives are not around, it's essential to prepare the home environment to be as comfortable, safe, and accommodating as possible for their daily living.

Additionally, as people age, their mobility may decrease, their vision may become blurred, and their hearing ability may diminish. Hence, we should carefully monitor and ensure that every area of the home—such as the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and even the living room—is well-maintained and supportive of their daily activities.

Accidents and safety hazards can occur at any time and in every corner of the home.

🎯 Here are some initial environmental adjustments that we should prepare:

- Install Adequate Lighting : Ensure that there is enough light so that elderly individuals can see clearly and navigate safely.

- Install Grab Bars : Place grab bars in the bathroom and near staircases to prevent falls or emergencies due to muscle weakness.

- Organize Furniture : Arrange furniture in a safe manner to avoid risks of falling objects or hazards that could harm elderly individuals.

- Use Non-Slip Mats : Place non-slip mats in the bathroom or other high-risk areas to prevent falls.

There are many other important aspects to consider for creating a safe environment for the elderly, and these can vary from home to home. It's the responsibility of family members to carefully inspect every corner of the house to plan more thoroughly. 😄

Establish a security system within the home to care for elderly individuals.

Because the home is a safe zone for many people, especially elderly individuals who often live alone, it is crucial to implement a security system to prevent unexpected incidents when family members are not around or unable to provide 24-hour care.

This includes protection against potential risks such as theft, fire hazards from electrical faults or forgotten gas stoves, and other emergencies. The importance of comprehensive security measures increases if family members are located in different provinces or countries.

A security system designed for elderly care that offers 24-hour monitoring is like having family members nearby. Essential security devices for every home include:

- CCTV Cameras and Theft Detection Sensors : These help monitor the home to prevent break-ins while the elderly are alone and unable to check their surroundings easily. Additionally, these systems can track daily activities of the elderly. Beyond just cameras and sensors, choosing a security system with 24-hour expert monitoring and real-time alerts is crucial. SECOM Smart Security, for example, stands out with its real-time notifications and expert care. More information can be found here: CCTV vs. SECOM—Which is Better?

- Smoke Detectors : These devices prevent fire outbreaks and provide timely alerts in case of smoke, reducing both physical harm and property damage for the elderly.

- Automatic Locks : These prevent issues when elderly individuals or others forget to lock doors. The system can check all doors and be controlled easily via smartphone, whether you are near or far from home.

- Wireless Water Leak Sensors : These detect water leaks, particularly when the elderly may forget to turn off faucets, which could lead to electrical shorts or unnecessary water expenses.

- Medical Button : This button alerts emergency services if an elderly person has an accident, falls, or encounters any other unexpected situation while living alone. Pressing the Medical Button sends an immediate alert to central services for prompt assistance.

Monitoring the behavior of elderly individuals

The health of elderly individuals changes constantly. As they age, health risks increase, including issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, muscle mass loss, and more. Therefore, it is crucial to closely monitor their daily behaviors to detect health problems as early as possible.

Simple observations can include tracking the number of bathroom visits, wake-up and sleep times, and ensuring medication is taken as prescribed by the doctor.

Using tools like a Medicine Box, which can alert you via an app when the medication box is opened or closed, can greatly assist in ensuring that the elderly take their medication on time. This helps reduce health risks effectively, as missing medication even a few times can significantly impact their health and the effectiveness of their treatment.

Regularly talking to and communicating with elderly individuals

Elderly individuals often face feelings of loneliness and isolation due to their decreased ability to go out, socialize, or engage in various activities. They may also find themselves alone at home while their children are busy with work, studies, or their own lives.

Therefore, regular communication and care from family members can significantly boost their mood and sense of well-being. Nowadays, technologies like Line and Facebook make it easier to stay in touch with elderly relatives.

However, some elderly people may not be comfortable using mobile phones or communication apps, which can make staying connected more challenging. In such cases, a useful alternative is a Wi-Fi camera. This technology allows for real-time communication through surveillance cameras placed around the home, helping to bridge the gap and make family members and elderly individuals feel closer, even when they are physically apart.

Regularly inquire about the needs and well-being of elderly individuals

Sometimes, elderly individuals may have additional needs that they do not express directly, or their current living conditions may not fully meet their needs. Therefore, family members should regularly talk with, inquire about, and check on the needs of elderly individuals, both physically and emotionally. 💙

For instance, an elderly person might require a personal caregiver or wish to engage in additional activities such as visiting a temple for merit-making, going on a holiday, visiting old places, meeting childhood friends, fishing, cycling, or playing golf.

Engaging in these activities can boost their physical health and morale, helping them feel more connected to the community. Regular updates and communication with elderly individuals can enhance their happiness and well-being, ensuring they feel cared for. This also helps family members to plan better for their care.

Plan the nutrition and exercise regimen for elderly individuals.

Certainly, maintaining good health sustainably involves proper nutrition and exercise. Each elderly individual, depending on their age and personal health conditions, has different nutritional and exercise needs. Those with chronic illnesses often face additional dietary restrictions.

For example, they may need to focus on high-protein foods, reduce sugar and salt intake, or avoid foods high in cholesterol. Some may require daily physical therapy to aid recovery. 🍗🥚

Family members should plan carefully for these needs, including preparing daily meals, hiring physical therapists, purchasing exercise equipment, and creating schedules that meet the elderly person's requirements.

Elderly care should encompass both physical and emotional well-being. Thus, comprehensive planning for elderly care is essential for every family. Especially for households where family members cannot provide full-time care, having a well-thought-out plan is undoubtedly beneficial in the long run!

(Source : https://www.thairath.co.th/scoop/theissue/2613315)

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