Tasks like bathing, eating, getting dressed and using the bathroom are absolutely integral in the maintenance of overall health and wellbeing. But as seniors age, these activities of daily living can become much more difficult, often due to issues like reduced mobility or memory loss. If your loved one is struggling to carry out these tasks independently, it’s important to ensure the assisted living option you choose adequately prioritizes activities of daily living support.

Why are Activities of Daily Living so Important?

At any age, activities of daily living are a fundamental aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, no matter what life-enhancing activities a senior is offered, and no matter what medical treatments they are receiving, if they are not coping with day-to-day tasks like bathing and eating, they cannot live a healthy life. If you were to imagine a pyramid of the things seniors need to live well, activities of daily living would form the foundation. Without this foundation, everything above it would crumble.

How can Assisted Living Help?

The best senior care providers prioritize activities of daily living from the outset, building a tailored care plan for their residents centered around these important tasks. Your loved one’s needs will be carefully assessed to ensure they receive the correct level of support; one that allows them to live comfortably while also retaining as much independence as possible.

What are the Benefits of Caregiver Support?

Activities of daily living form a great foundation upon which a senior can build the lifestyle they truly desire. Expert caregiver support with day-to-day tasks like bathing, dressing, and getting in and out of bed can empower seniors who feel overwhelmed by the tasks many of us take for granted. Opting for professional senior care will allow your loved one to enjoy their retirement, free from the daily burden that simply ‘getting by’ can become. 

Caregiver support with activities of daily living improves quality of life by:

• Boosting nutrition. Navigating mealtimes often becomes a struggle for seniors. Preparing and serving nutritious meals typically involves many stages, each of which may present overwhelming barriers. For example, if a senior lacks the mobility or confidence to go to the grocery store alone, they may not have the right food in their home to cook, or feel they have to eat foods that are spoiled. If they also have memory issues, remembering mealtimes and recipes might be a challenge, too. Many assisted living facilities in Texas offer their residents three freshly prepared meals and numerous opportunities to snack each day, and menus are typically tailored to meet the specific nutritional needs of seniors.
• Improving personal hygiene. Things like bathing, using the bathroom, maintaining dental hygiene and washing clothing can also be challenging for aging seniors. Good personal hygiene is absolutely vital for the maintenance of physical and mental health, and every senior deserves to feel clean and well groomed. If a senior is struggling with their personal hygiene, it can truly affect every aspect of their life. They may become more vulnerable to illness, or feel less confident going out to run errands or participate in activities and social events they enjoy. Therefore, a reduction in personal hygiene may also lead to secondary issues like new health conditions or loneliness. Accepting help with personal care tasks like using the toilet or bathing is often initially difficult for seniors, but professional assisted living staff are true experts in their field. These highly trained caregivers know how to get the balance just right, providing dignified support while also allowing seniors to retain as much independence as possible.
• Preventing new health problems from emerging. Meeting nutritional needs and maintaining personal hygiene go a long way in preventing avoidable health issues for seniors. With fresh, nutritionally balanced meals served daily, seniors are less likely to lose excessive amounts of weight or develop malnutrition. Similarly, with daily assistance with bathing and using the bathroom, the chances of a senior developing a skin infection or rash is also reduced. Your loved one’s care plan may also include daily medication management to ensure they stay in control of any pre-existing health conditions.
• Promoting enhanced independence. Perhaps above all else, seeking caregiver support with activities of daily living can allow a senior to live a life they love, free from any worries they have about simply getting through the day. Safe in the knowledge that their nutritional, hygiene and mobility needs will be taken care of, seniors are granted the free time and energy they deserve to enjoy all the life-enhancing activities, socialization and relaxation they desire.

If you have noticed your senior parent or relative is struggling to take care of activities of daily living alone, it might be time to start considering professional senior care. Take some time to sit down with your loved one and explain how assisted living in TX could grant them the freedom and independence to thrive in their retirement. 

For more information on how we improve the lives of seniors by offering support with activities of daily living, get in touch or arrange a tour today.