This question only has one right answer but some might still contest it (Shocking). We are here to give you a few reasons why it is absolutely crucial to provide help for your elderly parents while they are living alone. Yes, even if they are perfectly healthy.
Your parents spent a large part of their adult life helping you stand up on your own feet. Today, it is your turn to look after them. Here’s why your parents need help while they live alone, even if they seem perfectly healthy.
On time meals & medication
Food and medicines are undeniably the most important thing for senior citizens. They cannot be compromised. Senior citizens are likely to forget things. Some even get diagnosed with disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and others resulting in their untimely eating. If their meals are not ready, senior citizens tend to eat whatever is conveniently available which could be less nutritious. Your elderly parents might need help, a subtle reminder or assistance to have their meals and medication on time. Not taking medication on time can hamper their health.
Managing household chores
Managing a household is a lifetime commitment, it never ends. There is no “pension” that will get your day to day life chores done. It’s not fair to expect an elderly individual to carry out tasks like doing the dishes, doing their laundry and keeping the house clean on a daily basis. If they lived alone, they would attempt to manage all these tasks by themselves. This would just cause them exhaustion. If they had someone who would take care of these duties, it would make life so much simpler.
Maintaining hygiene
The pandemic has shed a light on personal hygiene and how it is an essential aspect for people of all age groups. It reduces your chances of catching various infections. It is difficult for senior citizens to maintain personal hygiene at times as they may either lack the strength to do so or for other medical reasons like being bed ridden, joint pain, etc. they might be unable to do it. An unclean or untidy surrounding creates a mood of irritation. It is mentally putting off if you have to live in such conditions and can’t actually physically do anything about it. It’s unfair to expect our elderly parents to be responsible for this.
Helping in moving around
The process of moving around might not seem troublesome to us but it is for the aged. Senior citizens are more prone to get diagnosed with neurological disorders, joint pain, arthritis, etc. affecting their daily movements by making it more painful. They often need support to walk around the house or even when they need to step out to catch a breath of fresh air. Some diseases restrict their movements so much that they might need help to get out of their bed, or even chairs. It’s very insensitive to leave someone on their own in such a depressing state.
Need for a companion
How boring did you find the lockdown? Sitting all by yourself, unable to meet people. This is the sorry state of most senior citizens. Lonely kills more people than diseases. Just having someone to talk to, to brighten up your mood or someone who would just listen to you, impacts your mental health in such great ways.
After reading these reasons, we are sure that you are convinced that the elderly cannot be left alone. We understand that as working professionals it may be difficult for you to be physically present all the time. But it is still your responsibility. So how will you manage taking care of the people who took the most care of you? MeeHelp has got you covered. Our on-the-go app will sort you out with any domestic help services like maids, caretakers, cleaners and more in less than 60 minutes!
