10 WAYS OF HELPING OLDER PEOPLE TO STAY AT HOME

Added 805 days ago. 1 February 2022

There’s a lot of help available for elderly people living at home. We discuss some of the things to think about that can help you stay comfortably in your own home.

As we start to get older, many of us will need some extra help so we can continue living independently at home. The right day-to-day support can help older people stay at home, safely and comfortably.

We've put together a list of 10 areas to consider in order to help you stay in your own home for as long as possible.

1. Adapting your home – It can be daunting to know where to start if you need to make adjustments to your home such as stair lifts, bathroom modifications or installing handrails to help your mobility. There are a selection of ideas from Age UK that could help you.

A good starting point is a free home assessment from your local authority. This will help to identify modifications that will help you as well as putting you in touch with reputable tradespeople to carry out the work.

2. Aids around the house – if there are particular tasks that you are finding challenging there’s lots of cleverly designed furniture and gadgets available to help older people stay at home. Anything from chairs that can help you to go from sitting to standing to kitchen aids that make pouring the kettle an easier task.

3. Food delivery service - using a food delivery service can bring peace of mind in knowing that nutritious and balanced meals are taken care of without the hassle of cooking and shopping. At Wiltshire Farm Foods, we provide a great value delivery service where our local, friendly drivers will even put the food straight into the freezer if you like. We have a wide range of over 300 dishes to suit every taste and appetite, so we're sure you'll always find something you fancy.

4. Keep in touch with friends and family - having a support network is important for both general happiness and mental health. Learn how to use video calls to keep connected to your loved ones and know that they are only at the end of the phone should you need them.

5. Home help services for elderly – you many need someone to come into your home to help with your personal care, cleaning or shopping. There are lots of options for elderly care at home, try getting in touch with your local council or Age UK to arrange home help that suits your needs.

6. Security – especially if you are living alone, consider ways to stay safe. Keeping yourself protected from scams is something to be aware of, video doorbells can be a good way knowing who is at your door without having to open it. Also be careful about where you share personal information, such as your bank, check you keep your personal information secure online.

Always remember, a legitimate person will not try to pressurise you into making a quick decision, take your time and contact the organisation’s head office if you feel threatened.

7. Managing money – managing your finances and paying your bills can become more challenging as we get older. Many banks have specialist phone lines to provide specific help for the over 70's, this allows you to speak to someone who is more familiar with your concerns or challenges, get in touch with your bank to see if they have this service.

You can also check if you’re accessing all of the money you’re entitled to using your NI number, you could have old pensions that you’re not aware of.

8. Plan for emergencies - having a plan in place for emergencies can relieve some of the stress if anything should happen. Make sure you have all the numbers you may need such as doctor, bank or insurance in an easily accessible place.

Personal alarms and special services are available to provide help for elderly living at home and can give you peace of mind should you fall or get into a difficult situation.

9. Focus on your health - Maintain your relationship with your GP ensuring that you keep up to date with your appointments. Find out what your local surgery offers in terms of home help services for the elderly. If you have more than one medication, a pill box can be a handy way of organising what you must take each day.

10. Plan ahead for the future – for many of us staying in our own home and living independently is important to us as we get older. Discuss your wishes with family members so they can help you plan for the future. Identify areas that you might need assistance with and any changes to your home that will help you stay safe, there are lots of services available for helping older people stay at home.

Start your planning today by exploring our wide range of dishes available for delivery straight to your door with a smile.