Caring for your senior relatives and friends this Christmas!

The countdown to Christmas is well and truly under way and Home Instead Senior Care Waterford is offering some useful advice for getting the most out of the festive season for elderly relatives and friends.

 “Better Living for Older People” is a series of practical tips ensuring that seniors are safe and secure this winter.  They include a range of useful guidelines such as advice on taking measures to avoid trips and falls, keeping a supply of non perishable goods to hand and ensuring that all emergency and phone numbers of family and neighbours are written down in case there is a need to contact them urgently.

According to Danette Connolly, Director of Care at Home Instead it is imperative that our seniors have a safe and happy Christmas. “We can all play a part in ensuring that Christmas is a highly enjoyable event for all.  Christmas is about friends, family and loved ones enjoying the festivities safely and being mindful of elderly parents, grandparents or neighbours needs.”

Ms. Connolly stressed the importance of keeping an eye on elderly relatives and neighbours over the Christmas holidays. 

“Over the holiday season we tend to spend more time with our parents, grandparents or senior relatives so it is a good opportunity to make sure that they are looking after themselves properly, have sufficient food and heat and are safe in their homes”, she added.

Ms. Connolly advised that there are warning signs to look out for that signal an ageing parent or relative needs more help at home. 

·        Do they seem to be eating well or is food spoiling in the fridge?

·        Have they stopped doing daily grooming rituals like taking a shower or fixing their hair?

·        Are they taking the right medications in the right doses at the right times?

·        Does their car have new scratches or dents?

·        Is mail or newspapers piling up without being read?

·        Are they using furniture, towel bars or shower curtains to pull themselves up to stand?

“If you are visiting a senior relative during the Christmas holidays be aware of things that may be changing for your senior relatives.  Be ready to spot the signs, have those tough conversations and help them get the support they need to remain happy and safe in their own home as long as possible.”

Home Instead Senior Care Waterford provides an array of senior care services such as light housekeeping and laundry, meal preparation, transport and companionship, up to and including personal care, dementia care, post hospital care and disability care.

For further information about the services log onto www.homeinstead.ie or call 051 333966.