Most seniors prefer to live alone in their homes instead of going to nursing homes or moving in with family or friends. If your elderly parent is mentally, physically, and emotionally capable of living by him or herself, encourage him or her to do so. Below are some of the benefits living alone can provide for seniors and what family caregivers can do to boost their loved ones’ quality of life and independence.
Staves Off Memory Loss
Moving into a new environment could speed up cognitive decline and cause memory loss to worsen. However, living at home could enhance your loved one’s brain function and stave off health problems such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Your parent will need to use his or her cognitive skills each day. Whether your loved one is remembering to turn off the lights, choosing what to wear and eat, or completing household chores, he or she will need to make sound decisions that increase his or her cognitive skills and sharpen his or her memory. Each day, your loved one will wake up surrounded by familiar sounds, objects, smells, and people in the community. These are things that can lead to comfort and happiness and stave off memory loss and feelings of depression.
If your loved one needs a bit of help with everyday tasks at home, a professional caregiver can be a wonderful asset. Many older adults are choosing to age in place, and some need a helping hand to continue living at home safely and comfortably. Luckily, there is professional senior care Green Valley seniors can trust and rely on.
Reduces Financial Stress
Aging in place could be less expensive than moving into assisted living or a retirement home. In those types of facilities, seniors often pay for services they don’t use because of preset fees and contractual obligations. Covering the expenses associated with living in a nursing home could be stressful for your loved one and harm his or her mental and physical health. However, aging in place could reduce costs and alleviate some financial stress, which is great for brain and heart health.
Enhances Relationships
Family members and friends are more likely to check on their loved ones who live alone to make sure they’re doing well. As a result, seniors have opportunities to maintain relationships, which supports mental health and lowers the odds of issues such as depression and isolation. Make it a priority to visit your loved one at least once or twice a week, and try to call him or her every day. Even if your conversation only lasts for a couple of minutes, it could have a positive impact on your loved one.
For families living in Green Valley, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Embrace In-Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Boosts Self-Esteem
Living at home alone requires your parent to rely on him or herself more and gives him or her a variety of purposeful tasks to take on each day. Meaningful activities often lead to accomplishments, which could help your loved one take on various challenges with more confidence. Higher self-esteem could reduce negative emotions like fear and doubt. As a result, your loved one could navigate the home with more ease and reduce the risk of falls, broken bones, traumas, and infections.
A home caregiver can be a tremendous asset if your loved one prefers to live alone. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. You can rely on Embrace In-Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Embrace In-Home Care can be your trusted partner in caregiving for your aging loved one. Contact one of our experienced Care Managers today at (520) 625-2050 to learn more about our reliable in-home care services.