Declining in cognitive function with age impacts all elements of your parent’s life, including their safety. If you are a family caregiver for an aging adult who is living with these types of challenges, it is important to make managing them a central and consistent part of your care routine.
As spring approaches and the weather becomes more appealing, you may be planning more time outside. If your senior has always enjoyed gardening, birdwatching, or other such activities, they may also be looking forward to getting out of the house more often. This makes it essential, however, that you take into consideration these tips on outdoor safety for a senior.
Use these tips to improve outdoor safety for a senior experiencing a decline in cognitive function:
- Be sure there is a key hidden somewhere near your parent’s home that an emergency responder or neighbor could access even if your parent is not able to remember where it is. This can help reduce danger if your parent gets locked outside.
- Have a weather-resistant box available with emergency supplies that can help your parent overcome potential dangers if they are locked outside or otherwise cannot get in. This should include water, non-perishable food in a secure container, and blankets, towels, or other materials to help combat weather.
- Ensure the address on your parent’s home is clearly and readily visible, and consider adding a distinct distinguishing feature to the lawn or home itself. This can help to create landmarks that are more easily recognizable by your parent and can also aid others who are trying to help them find their way home if your parent should wander.
- Remove any plants from the lawn that have fruit that is poisonous or that your parent is allergic to. They may become confused during their time outside and attempt to eat it.
- If there is a pool, pond, or other water feature, make sure it is well-secured or otherwise inaccessible so your parent does not accidentally fall into it.
- Keep any gardening implements inaccessible to your parent so they do not attempt to use them without supervision and potentially harm themselves.
Caring for any senior adult is challenging, but caring for one with cognitive functioning decline can have even more difficulties.
Bringing elder home care into your routine with your parent can be a fantastic way to ensure your senior gets the care they need while reducing your stress and enabling you to have more control and freedom in your own schedule.
The personalized services of an elderly home care provider are designed to help your parents manage their challenges and needs in effective and meaningful ways that promote independence, support health and safety, and encourage fulfillment and continued quality of life as they age. Having elder home care as part of your care approach also means you can feel confident your senior’s needs are managed now and will be in the future as they decline in cognitive function with age.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering home care in Benton City, please contact the caring staff at Solutions today. We serve the Tri-Cities and Surrounding Areas. Call 509-627-8575.