Nearly all seniors are fiercely protective of their independence. As a result, many aging adults are reluctant to admit they’re having difficulty feeding themselves. Regardless of whether your senior loved one is overwhelmed by transportation challenges, budgeting concerns, or dwindling cooking abilities, there are a number of things you can do to keep him or her from going hungry.
Provide Lists of Local Resources
Make sure your loved one knows about the best local resources for preventing his or her food supply from getting too low. There are food banks and food pantries that offer free durable goods and ready-made meals to people who are unable to secure food on their own due to living on fixed incomes. Visiting these locations once or twice each month can make it easier for your loved one to eat well.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving around-the-clock senior home care. Northern Kentucky, KY, Assisting Hands Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Offer Transportation Assistance
You can also offer to drive your loved one to the grocery store or the food bank as needed. In fact, you can even drive a few of your loved one’s friends as well. Not only can everyone get the food they need to meet their nutritional requirements, but these outings can also be a great time for everyone to socialize and catch up on recent events. There are also low-cost services that provide door-to-door transportation for aging adults who have a difficult time getting around on their own, or you can hire a professional caregiver to provide transportation.
In-home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Volunteer at a Local Food Bank
When you take your loved one to a local food bank, ask the organization if there’s anything you can do to help. Organizing a food drive in your workplace is a great way to collect canned goods and other durable items to share. You can also assist with on-site tasks such as cleanup, inventory management, and other efforts that keep food pantries running smoothly.
Schedule Meal Preparation Services
Many communities have meal delivery services that drop ready-made meals off to housebound seniors with limited mobility. These services are often free or may be available at nominal cost. In addition to meal delivery services, you can also secure meal preparation assistance from a home care company. A home caregiver can prepare fresh, home-cooked meals for your loved one that can be frozen and reheated as necessary.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of at-home care. Florence families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care of Northern Kentucky to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. Schedule a free in-home consultation by giving us a call today.
