How Do You Support Your Dad After an Illness?
Your dad’s health changed. It’s not surprising as 80% of older adults have at least one chronic health condition. Seven out of ten older adults have two or more. Hiring home care assistance providers can help with managing his needs and improve his routine to better health.
The most common chronic health issues are:
- Stroke
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- COPD
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s disease
That’s just chronic health conditions. Your dad may also have illnesses like a bad chest cold, COVID, the flu, and shingles. If he does, how are you supporting him?
Stock His Fridge and Pantry
Home Care Assistance Berkeley Heights NJ – How Do You Support Your Dad After an Illness?
Go through your dad’s pantry and fridge and make sure he has the food he needs. If he’s been sick with the flu, he may want plenty of beverages and soups while his body heals. You could stock up on vegetables and make bone broth.
If you put together several soups and store them in single-sized portions in the freezer, he can get a freezer bag and heat it on the stove or in the microwave as often as he needs.
As you build a list of the items he needs, you can order groceries for delivery or schedule a time to pick them up if that’s more convenient. Otherwise, shop while a caregiver spends time with your dad to ensure he’s not alone.
Do His Housework
Your dad isn’t going to have a lot of energy when he’s dealing with a health issue. Do his laundry for him. Change his sheets and towels, wash and dry them, and put them away. Wash his clothes, too.
Go through the home and sterilize surfaces. Don’t overlook light switches, remotes, phones, and knobs and handles. Wash dishes and wipe down the sink after.
Vacuum carpets and stairs and sweep and mop any hardwood, linoleum, laminate, vinyl, or tile floors. If he has pets, clean up the pets’ areas, litter boxes, and beds.
Look Into Air Purifiers
Many of today’s air purifiers do more than remove allergens and cooking odors from the house. They also have UV or ionizers that can help kill germs. If your dad’s home is pretty air-tight, consider an air purifier to help remove bacteria, viruses, pollen, and dander.
Hire Home Care Assistance Aides to Help Him
Have caregivers stop by to help your dad each week. For a few hours or all day, hire home care assistance aides to clean his home, do his laundry, cook his meals, and take him to stores and medical offices.
Your dad’s caregivers can help him schedule appointments, go for walks outside, and order prescription refills. If he needs medication reminders, assistance with personal care, or companionship services, those are all options.
Home care assistance is important after your dad’s health changes. Work with him to ensure he has the support he needs as he ages at home. Call our home care advisor to arrange the home care assistance your dad requires.
Sources: https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-healthy-aging
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional Home Care Assistance Services in Berkeley Heights NJ, please talk to the caring staff at Generations Home Health Care today. Providing Home Care in Somerset, Essex, Union, Morris, and Hunterdon Counties. Call us today at (908) 290-0691 or (973) 241-4534.
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