As healthcare professionals, you will often need to manage the needs of a patient with their own requirements. Many elderly patients, for example, might require plenty of professional care, but they will also want to be as independent as possible. This can be a hard thing to balance, but it is possible with some planning and discussions with the patient and, if necessary, their family. Read on to understand more about how it can be done.
Voice-Activated Technology
If a patient has difficulty in moving around, but they still want to do as much as possible for themselves, they may wish to invest in voice-activated technology. This will allow them to enjoy TV, listen to music, read electronic books, and be involved in other forms of entertainment.
However, voice-activated technology can be extremely useful when it comes to healthcare as well or at least safety for those who wish to be independent even if they are frail or unwell. The right tech can mean that lights can be switched on and off, doors can be locked and unlocked, the thermostat can be controlled, and phone calls can be made.
For those will little movement, this can make a world of difference and improve their outlook on life.
Meal Plans
One thing that is often a concern with and for the elderly is their diet. If they live alone, they might find it a chore to cook healthy food just for them, for example, and they can easily become malnourished. Or they might have issues with being able to get to the store because of their mobility problems or the fact that they won’t be able to carry bags of groceries back home again.
A good solution that could be suggested to the elderly patient who wants to remain independent is one of the various meal plans that exist. These plans will deliver food to the patient’s door once a week, and they will either contain pre-prepared food or the instructions and ingredients to make the food at home – it will depend on the level of skill and independence the patient has. To make the food easier to swallow, they can also liquidize it and add Simply Thick to it if required.
These meals will be well-balanced and delivered directly to the elderly person’s door, so they don’t have to worry about grocery shopping and will know that they are getting the right nutrients to keep them as healthy as possible.
Find a Weekly Activity
Those elderly patients who live with family members and have lost some of their independence may seek extra support from their health care provider if required. They might be feeling negative about the situation, especially if they were very active before they became sick or their years advanced.
One idea that can be suggested to the patient and their family is to seek out a weekly activity away from the house. This small amount of time away, doing something such as a game, going on an outing, or meeting with other people for a specialist exercise class, can be enough to help them feel more independent and will be good for their mental and physical health too.
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