If you have an elderly relative that lives independently, it’s OK to pop round a few times a week to check how they’re getting on. They might pretend not to like the fuss, but they’re definitely going to love seeing a loved one – being social in this manner is a form of care in itself!
But while you’re there, you can continue to make life easier for them in both little and simple ways. The three below are some you might not have considered before, but we highly recommend them if you’re worried about how your aunt, grandparent, or even mom and dad are getting on.
Prep Some Meals for the Week
How often does your elderly relative cook for themself? If they live alone, it’s quite common for older people to skip dinners entirely. They’re more of a social thing, to be shared with loved ones, and if there’s no one around, what’s the point?
That’s why meal prepping for them can be so helpful. This way you can be sure they’re eating properly and getting the right nutrients at least two to three times a week. Cook up meals they love and make sure they know how easy it is to heat the dish up when they want something.
Stock up on Hearing Batteries
Does your relative use a hearing aid? Do they use an aid that takes batteries? Then stock up on hearing batteries, both for their own home and for yours. You don’t want them to experience the awkwardness of their aid losing power while in the middle of a conversion, and you definitely don’t want them to feel lost when their aid goes out at home.
Hearing batteries tend to be quite cheap when you buy in bulk, and some centers may even give them away for free to eligible users. Look into this to see if your relative fits the bill. If they never have to worry about running out of batteries, it’s going to be a lot easier to stay clued in to what’s going on, which enables them to live the life they want.
Clean the Bathroom
Your elderly relative might take pride in how neat and tidy their home is. While they can get the duster out and put the vacuum round the living room carpet, there may be other tasks they can’t quite get down due to accessibility issues. One of these tasks is keeping the bathroom clean.
The bathroom has more nooks and crannies in it than other rooms in the home, and being able to bend down or stretch out might not be something your relative can do. So, why not do it for them? Dusting behind the toilet, bleaching and scrubbing the bowl, wiping down the top of the mirror cabinet, etc., are all tasks they might struggle to do alone.
If you’ve got a stubborn and independent elderly relative, help them out using tips like these. We all deserve a little help!
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