Aging can be more difficult than you might have expected in your youth, especially if you or a loved one is struggling with a health condition, such as dementia. However, Arizona is a great state for elderly people to live in, and there are many ways that you can boost either your or someone you love’s quality of life, whether they are living independently or need support. Here is a list of some of the steps that you can take to make sure that your loved one’s last years are their best.
Look at Residential Living Communities
If your loved one is struggling to look after themselves, or if you are struggling to provide the support that they require from you due to other commitments, this might be the right time to look at local residential living communities. Luckily, there are many excellent residential living communities within Arizona. However, while you might have a preconceived idea of what a residential living community looks like, there are many different options available to your loved one, meaning that they will be able to get the care and support that they need. For instance, at Belmont Living, their memory care living programs can ensure that seniors who are suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or memory loss will be able to enjoy the best life possible for the duration of their stay.
Research Local Helplines
Even if you want to devote your life to helping your loved one, it is nearly impossible for you to be there for them 24/7. However, there are many helplines for elderly people that can be there when you are not, and some of these are tailored specifically toward those adults living in Arizona. For instance, your loved one may need to call the Arizona Area Agencies on Aging for questions about care and transportation. You may also consider giving them the option of calling nationwide hotlines, such as that of the American Association of Retired Persons, and of telephone numbers that deal with specialist queries, such as the Arizona Department of Homes and Housing for the Aging. This will ensure that any problem that they have can be dealt with by a professional immediately.
Encourage Them to Attend Events and Groups
One of the main benefits of living in Arizona for seniors is that there is a lively social life for them to enjoy, and it is important to encourage them to join in with these activities as much as possible. For instance, there are many annual events across Arizona and in some of the best communities to retire to that can help to unleash a new lease of life within them. Not only this, but Arizona is also home to a wide range of activities for seniors to enjoy, such as bingo halls like Reflection Bingo and museums like the Phoenix Art Museum. However, it is important for your loved one to make connections and mingle with other older people in their area, as well as with you, and there are a wide range of social groups for seniors in Arizona. For instance, the state is home to groups such as AZ Healthy Seniors and Vets, Solo Seniors of the East Valley, and Scottsdale Chair Yoga.
Help them to Research Medical Centers
Unfortunately, when you are aging, it is likely that you will experience a lot more health problems than when you were younger, and you will need professional help in order to cope with and treat these. Then, it is important that you are able to secure the care that your loved one needs to thrive by researching the local medical centers and hospitals in your area that can help when your senior has a health problem. Not only this, but you should look at their health insurance policy and ensure that they are covered for some of the most common conditions and emergencies that seniors are likely to experience, such as slip and falls.
Adapt Their Home to Their Conditions
If your senior wants to continue living independently in Arizona, who can blame them? However, in order to do this successfully, you need to make sure that their home caters to their needs. For instance, if they are experiencing reduced mobility in their later years, you should consider installing hand and shower rails and stairlifts within their home. If they are in a wheelchair, you might also consider widening their home’s doorways and installing a ramp up to their front door. There are also many smaller gadgets that could help older people, such as automated can openers.
Encourage Them to Perform Exercise
It can be difficult to stay motivated enough to exercise as an older person, especially if they are struggling with a health condition. However, exercise for seniors does not have to be strenuous, and can even include short and fun activities like gardening. There are many opportunities in Arizona and beyond that could help them to stay active. For instance, you should try taking your senior to a beautiful outdoor space, such as the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. You should also encourage them to sign up for local exercise classes in gyms and leisure centers which tailor exercise specifically to the needs of the age group that they are teaching.
Look at How the Community Can Support Them
When you are caring for an older person, you do not have to do this alone, and there are many ways that the local community can help you to support them. For instance, many communities run ‘Coffee and a Chat’ schemes where they can send local people around to your loved one’s home in order to beat loneliness and help them to interact with the world. They may also have set up an errands group or a transport service that can help your senior to get the groceries and essentials that they need to stay healthy. They may also have local mental health services that can help to support your loved one if they are suffering from depression and other common mental health conditions in older people.
