Quality of Life in Elder Care | The Plan Firm

Having an effective elder care plan in place for your loved can help to give both of you peace of mind by making sure several legal, financial and insurance areas are addressed. Depending on their needs, this could include:

· Estate planning

· Powers of attorney, advance directives and trusts

· Social Security and Medicare

· Long term care and Medicaid

But what about the emotional and psychological aspects of elder care?

These are just as important to ensuring the highest possible quality of life for your senior. Here are seven key steps:

1. Encourage a daily routine

Some people spend decades dreaming of retirement, only to find when they get there that the hard shift from a daily work routine to a flexible schedule is jarring.

Suddenly, there’s all the time in the world, now what to do with it? The freedom of staying up until the wee hours on one night and crashing early on another may sound good on paper. But in reality, when we allow our days to get too fluid, it can affect the quality of sleep, energy levels, mental sharpness and other aspects of physical, mental and emotional wellness.

2. Help create a sense of purpose

As we get older, we may feel like we no longer have anything of value to offer the world, and that we are just becoming a burden to those around us.

It’s important to reinforce that your loved one is needed and valued. This can be shown in small ways, such as having them help with various tasks that mesh with their abilities – everything from preparing meals and folding laundry, to clipping coupons, to accompanying you to get groceries or run other errands.

3. Keep them physically active

Regular exercise can help boost the immune system and improve heart health, sleep quality, mobility, mental wellness and much more. Some seniors may have limitations on the types of activities they can perform, but even light activity such as walking or gardening can yield some benefits. Your senior should meet with their doctor first before beginning any new exercise program.

4. Don’t forget mental activity

Exercising the gray matter is just as important to help retain mental sharpness as we age. One way to do this and help your senior feel useful is to ask them to tell stories from their past, sharing their vast life experience. You and your family (including the grandkids) can also engage your loved one with other activities, such as putting together a puzzle, or playing checkers, dominoes, board games or card games.

Other mental exercises that a senior can do on their own include reading or writing, but also brain games such as crossword puzzles and Sudoku.

5. Encourage them to socialize

In modern life, it’s all too easy to avoid seeing anyone. We can get everything we need without ever leaving the house, even groceries and medications. But this doesn’t mean that we should, and this is especially true in elder care. Seniors may feel isolated, especially if they have physical limitations or are not able to drive. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to help them stay connected – to family, friends and the larger community.

This can include arranging periodic trips, such as visiting family on holidays or for special events such as weddings, as well as regular trips such as helping coordinate a weekly lunch with one of their close friends. Also consider senior centers, book clubs and other opportunities to socialize in groups.

Is there an interest that your loved one has always wanted to learn? A new hobby, such as taking dancing or cooking classes, can help to keep your senior socially – and mentally – engaged.

6. Consider volunteering opportunities

One good way to help your loved one stay connected, while also encouraging community involvement, is to engage in volunteer activities. There are many causes that can benefit from a senior’s experience and interests, and which help provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. This can include volunteering at a church, with children or animals, at soup kitchens and other community support organizations, and many more.

7. Recognize depression, and treat it

Depression is a huge problem in the senior community. There can be many possible causes, including retirement, the loss of a spouse or independence, or even the effects of a medication or clinical condition. Help your senior seek treatment if you notice the signs of depression, which may include:

Feelings of sadness, despair or hopelessness, including thoughts of suicide
Feeling worthless
Lack of energy or motivation
Loss of interest in personal care or socializing
Memory problems
Sleeping issues
Unexplained loss of appetite, weight loss or body aches
Increased use of alcohol or drugs

Caring for the caregiver (you)

While the focus is often on your senior’s well-being, you also need to be aware of your own, or risk caregiver burnout. As part of developing an effective plan for your senior, an elder care attorney can help you navigate the challenges of caregiving, including directing you to several resources.

7 ways to improve quality of life in elder care