It could not be more accurate to state that even if you have one or more children, other people’s levels of happiness are never your responsibility, yet still, it is natural to want the best for the loved ones around you.

With older members of the family and elderly friends, it becomes more of a concern when you are worried they are not coping with living independently, are starting to become forgetful, or else are drawing into themselves and avoiding socializing. 

So, with this in mind, here is how to ensure your elderly loved one is living life to the fullest. 

Introduce Them to Home Adaptations

Firstly, it may well be that your elderly loved one is struggling with a specific task or chore in the home, and there is a piece of technology or gadget that can instantly simplify it, but as they are not au fait with the latest developments, they are unaware it exists. 

Conduct some research into the available technologies and products which are specifically designed to help older people safely and happily navigate their homes and, where applicable, suggest them. 

Just a selection of such products include:

• Rolling Walkers
• Electronic Pill Dispensers
• Fall Detection Sensors
• Smart Plugs
• Audiobooks
• Clothing Aids
• Automatic Jar Openers 

Speak to your elderly loved one to find out if they are struggling with a specific task or two, and from there, go on to suggest ways of combating the struggle and allowing them to enjoy their home much more. 

Let Them Speak!

You will be all too familiar with the feeling of wanting to convey a piece of information or a particular feeling to a friend or family member, but the conversation seems to be based around them waiting for you to finish so that they can speak. 

An open, honest, and safe line of conversation and one that is mutually beneficial makes for a much higher likelihood that how your elderly loved one is actually feeling mirrors what they say to you on the phone. 

If your elderly loved one has been diagnosed with dementia or another memory-based illness, this opens the space for you to also discuss the possibility of moving to a renowned, comfortable, and full-of-fun private care home, such as st peter’s house care home. 

Consider Staying with Them or Moving Closer

The third and final piece of advice for anyone who would like their elderly loved one coping while living at home, as well as being as independent as they can be and basically enjoying each day, is to be more physically present.

Depending entirely on your professional and personal situations, it may well be the case that it is entirely impossible for you to even consider moving in with your loved one, at least on a temporary basis. If not, you could consider moving closer to them or else simply staying overnight for a few nights instead of engaging in ‘flying’ visits with no real content.