Seniors have the same needs as people of other age groups, but many seniors have trouble meeting their own basic needs, especially when they live at home all by themselves. When a senior lives all alone and is not able to meet his or her own needs, his or her health can suffer tremendously, and the risks of injuries, health issues, or death can greatly increase. Here are three of the most important things that you should make sure your senior parent has.
A safe environment
The first thing every senior needs is a safe environment to live in, and there are many factors that this covers. For example, the house that a senior lives in should be in good condition and have heating, air conditioning, water, and electricity. These are just basic needs of people of all ages, but they are especially important to seniors. Seniors often need more than the basics, though, in terms of safety. Seniors may need a home that is clutter-free and that has space for them to move, and this is even more true for seniors who use walkers, canes, or wheelchairs. If your parent's home is not safe, you may need to go in and do some work to make it safe for him or her.
Healthy meals and proper medication
The second important thing all seniors need is healthy meals and proper medication. Most seniors take medication, but many of them have trouble taking the right pills each day. A lot of seniors also have trouble preparing healthy meals or going grocery shopping to buy food. If your parent is having trouble with medication or food, he or she may need some assistance with these tasks.
Companionship and community
The other need that seniors have is often overlooked, and this is the need for companionship and community. Seniors who live all alone need people in their lives, and this can include family members, friends, or even senior home care workers. When a senior does not have any community like this, he or she can become very lonely, and loneliness is something that will lead to health problems and emotional issues.
If you have any concerns about your parent's health and well-being, you may want to talk to a company that provides home companion care services, as this would be a great way to help your parent receive the things he or she needs most.
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