Celebrate Older Americans Month
By Home Security Source May 10, 2011 | 9:55:00 amPosted in: Senior Safety May is Older Americans Month, a time to reflect and acknowledge the contributions older generations have made. Here are a few ways to show your appreciation for the older adults in your life.
Start off by taking some time. Even just a phone call to an elderly friend or relative can brighten their day. Try to carve out some time to go over to their home and spend time doing something you both enjoy, like watching a fun old movie, sharing a recipe, or looking through a photo book.
Certain things become more difficult with age so to show your appreciation you may want to offer to help out around the home and yard. If your elderly friend or relative is living alone you may want to consider getting them a personal emergency response system like ADT Home Health Services to help give you both peace of mind in case of an emergency.
Ask them about what they have been doing and who has been visiting with them. This will help to exercise their memory, allow you to keep tabs on who may be stopping by and can help prevent them from being scammed. Consider installing a home security system with surveillance cameras to keep an eye on the home when you are not around.
Consider accompanying older adults to the doctor’s office to inquire about vision and hearing loss. This will not only help you to make arrangements for transportation but will allow you to have a better understanding of the care required for your elderly loved one.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that falls are the leading cause of injury death for adults over the age of 65 and the most common cause for nonfatal injuries. Take the time to help older adults exercise, to increase strength and balance and install handrails and grip tape around the home to prevent falls.
Finally, the best way you can help someone who is aging is to stop and listen. Have a serious talk about their health, safety and security and how you can help. Make a plan of how they will deal with new challenges and help them to follow though.
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