As your parents grow older, you may start to notice changes in how they manage their day-to-day lives. Maybe bills start piling up unopened and unpaid. Maybe you notice more clutter and dust in their once-clean home. Whatever the changes you notice, they could be more than just signs of aging – they could be signs that your loved one is struggling with activities of daily living, or ADLs.
It’s important to understand where your aging parents and loved ones may need a little extra help to keep them safe and healthy. Whether they’re living alone, with their spouse, or in an assisted living community, support can make all the difference. Our expert team at Innovation Senior Living is here to explain 10 daily activities your aging parent might need some help with, and how you can respond with compassionate care.
What Are Activities of Daily Living?
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the basic, everyday tasks that your aging parent needs to manage in order to live independently. These include essential functions like bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, moving around their home, and managing their personal hygiene. So how can you help your senior loved one with ADLs on a daily basis?
1. Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene tasks like bathing, shaving, grooming, and brushing teeth are usually among the first ADLs to become difficult for seniors. Memory issues, arthritis, and limited mobility can contribute to this. If you notice changes in your aging parent’s hygiene or appearance, it might be time to intervene. You can help them in multiple ways, including offering help with grooming, having a caregiver assist them with hygiene and bathing, and installing adaptive equipment – like a walk-in bathtub – to make these activities of daily living easier for them.
2. Getting Dressed
Getting dressed every day may seem simple, but it’s much more than just putting on clothes. It requires balance, physical dexterity, and even memory recall. Your aging parents might struggle with buttons, zippers, and choosing the right clothes for the weather. Help them choose their outfits and look for clothes that are easy to put on or hire a caregiver that can assist them while simultaneously encouraging their independence.
3. Toileting and Incontinence Support
We know that assistance with toileting and incontinence issues can be sensitive subjects, but they’re very common needs among senior adults. This can include helping your aging parent get to the bathroom in time, managing their incontinence products, or helping with hygiene when they’re finished. It’s critical to provide the right support to avoid infections and other health issues, and to also reduce your parent’s embarrassment about their needs.
4. Mobility and Transfers
Senior parents may also need help with mobility – getting in and out of bed, standing up from a chair, or moving through the house safely. Reduced mobility in senior years increases the risk of falls, which is one of the leading causes of injury among seniors. You can help your aging parent by finding the right mobility aids (like a cane or a walker), installing grab bars where needed, or hiring a caregiver to assist with mobility needs at home.
5. Meal Preparation
Cooking healthy and nutritious meals can become a challenge for aging parents. They may be dealing with fatigue, arthritis, limited mobility, vision loss, or even memory loss. You may notice they skip meals or have spoiled food in the fridge. To help with this activity of daily living, consider meal delivery services, preparing meals in advance that they can heat up, or looking for an assisted living community like Innovation Senior Living where healthy meals and snacks are provided every single day.
6. Eating and Drinking
Some seniors begin to have difficulty with eating – they may struggle with holding utensils or even have difficulty swallowing. Other aging parents may simply forget to eat or drink during the day, which can lead to health issues. You might want to provide help by offering meal supervision, providing foods that are easy to eat without utensils, or monitoring their fluid intake to ensure they don’t get dehydrated.
7. Housekeeping and Home Maintenance
Home maintenance – including dusting, cleaning floors, laundry, and tidying up clutter – can become difficult as your aging parent’s abilities change. If your parents’ home starts to look unkempt or unsafe, it’s time to step in. Offer to hire light housekeeping services to keep their home clean and safe or explore the option of an assisted living community where they’ll have housekeeping and laundry services provided.
8. Transportation
Aging parents may become unsafe drivers due to slowed reflexes, impaired vision or hearing, or medication side effects. Not being able to drive means your parent can become isolated and depressed, miss important medical appointments, and may be unable to shop for food and other needed items. Offer rides and arrange for senior transportation services to get them where they need to go or consider a senior living community that has transportation services.
9. Managing Finances
Financial management can become overwhelming for your aging parents as they try to pay bills on time, manage their bank accounts, and avoid scams. If you notice missed bill payments, odd purchases, etc. then it’s time to offer help. Set up automatic bill payments, help them monitor their bank accounts, or consider appointing a financial power of attorney when needed.
10. Medication Management
Medication management is a huge concern when it comes to activities of daily living. Your aging parent may be juggling multiple prescription medications with specific dosage and timing instructions. Buy them a daily pill organizer, set digital reminders, or have a caregiver supervise medication management to ensure your loved one’s safety and health.
Find the Support You Need at Innovation Senior Living
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. Many adult children reach a point where professional care becomes the healthiest option for everyone. At Innovation Senior Living, we’re dedicated to providing the right type of support while ensuring your aging parent maintains as much independence as possible. Explore our vibrant, active community today to see how we can assist your senior loved one with activities of daily living – schedule a tour or chat with one of our advisors. We’re here to help you navigate this next phase of life with grace and confidence!
