Caring for an elderly adult who is confined to their bed is more than just helping them to manage physical needs. While these seniors may need more care to help cope with hygiene issues, as a family caregiver it is important for you to recognize that they also have mental and emotional needs that will need to be handled as well. A senior who is not able to get out of bed may struggle with depression, isolation, boredom, and feelings of sadness and even hopelessness. Giving them proper mental and emotional support can help them to experience a higher quality of life, support more effective healing and recovery, and encourage them to move forward with their best life.
Some ways you can support the mental emotional health of an elderly adults who cannot leave bed include:
- Make sure your interactions with them aren’t just about your care efforts for them. Make an effort to spend quality time with them on a regular basis, sharing conversation, eating together, playing games, and even doing crafts.
- Add touches to their surroundings that are pleasant to look at and brighten their mood. Family pictures, drawings from their grandchildren, decorative touches, and even colored bedding can brighten their spirits and help them to feel less “confined.”
- Equip their surroundings with forms of entertainment that keep their mind sharp rather than just having them watch TV all day. Books, word searches and crossword puzzles, adult coloring books, sudoku, playing solitaire, and doing crafts can help to stimulate their mind and make them feel active even when they aren’t able to move.
- Stay in touch with them when you aren’t able to be with them. Calls and video chats regularly not only make your parent feel recognized and acknowledged, easing loneliness, but also allows you to pay attention to their condition so you can make decisions about their ongoing care when needed.
Home care can be a fantastic source of support for an elderly adults who cannot leave bed, as well as others dealing with health challenges and limitations. Many seniors struggle with feeling isolated and lonely, which can lead to a variety of issues including depression, anxiety, and loss of motivation. An in-home senior care services provider can be with your parent to offer companionship, mental and emotional support, mental stimulation, and encouragement to live a more active and engaged lifestyle. As a family caregiver, this can give you peace of mind knowing your parent can enjoy a high quality of life that’s when you are in the home caring for them and when you are not.
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HOME CARE SERVICES IN LAS VEGAS, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE OF SUMMERLIN. 702-800-4616.