Senior Care Long Island NY
When a senior begins having difficulty maintaining their safety or even performing basic tasks of everyday life on their own, they may call on family members to help out. This could be a sibling, adult child, or someone else who lives in the area or relatively close.
Some seniors may call on friends as well.
Calling on friends could be difficult, especially if those friends are also dealing with physical challenges that are the direct result of age. As people get older, they will lose muscle every year, even if they work out regularly.
As they lose muscle mass, performing some of the most basic tasks can be more complicated. They may find it more difficult getting up and down the stairs, walking down the hall, getting out of bed, or even going to the store.
In today’s environment, especially in the United States, the sense of community is still alive, but much different.
Some people can spend years living in a particular neighborhood and have very little contact with their neighbors. There are many theories as to why, but it could have to do with busy schedules, a sense of isolation, and even people not wanting to be bothered by others, even their own neighbors.
In those communities where neighbors are friendly, outgoing, and communicative, they may be able to provide some support and care for seniors, especially if it keeps them safer.
For example, a neighbor who may work several jobs to support himself may be more than willing to take the garbage down to the end of the driveway for an elderly neighbor, then bring it back the next morning. Some might have no problem collecting the mail for a senior who is unable to get out and walk down the sidewalk on their own.
Calling on a family member who lives 30 miles away to take care of these things can put a lot of extra pressure on those family members. It can especially take away their ability to provide more important services and support, such as taking them to a doctor’s appointment, helping them get into and out of bed, and more.
Including neighbors in helping seniors also improves safety for the elderly. However, relying on family, friends, and neighbors, while they may very well be a great support system, doesn’t beat hiring an experienced senior home care aide or other home care services.
Home care support is the best way to keep seniors safe at home.