How to approach fears in elderly parents

Every human being has fears that they need to control and deal with them for a fruitful life. However, as you get older, you become less confident in conquering and managing your fears. Additionally, the aging process brings along new worries that a young person does not face.

Thus, when it comes to elderly parents, it is essential to understand the fears they face to provide quality care. As a caregiver, you should know the kind of fear your loved one is facing and never assume that senior individuals face the same concerns.

Additionally, try listening to your elderly parents regarding their fear and take it seriously even though it may seem trivial and silly to you. Finally, take action by acting in a way that can lessen their anxiety. This may range from a simple phone call every day to installing security cameras in your home.

The in home senior care Omaha NE professionals want to share these fears that elderly parents face and how to address them.

The fear of loss of independence

One of the fears that many seniors have is losing their independence. This is a common fear among elderly individuals since they grow old, they lose their mobility and are unable to perform daily functions. 

Many senior parents equate their loss of independence to a loss of power, which can take a toll on them. Try and give you elderly parent options to keep them in control of decisions even though they still need help. This gives them a sense of their power back.

The fear of being alone

Senior parents often fear they will be left alone, especially after their partner passes on. Some seniors prefer to remain in their homes to have some privacy. However, over time, seniors can grow to become lonely with a lack of companionship. 

Not to mention the pandemic has limited seniors' ability to socialize as the virus poses a threat to their health. To alleviate this fear, always spend time with your loved ones. You can also hire an in home senior care Omaha NE professional to provide companionship when you are not around.

The fear of falling 

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) states that one in four Americans over the age of 65 fall each year. Fall accidents are common among older people because they lose their sense of stability and mobility. These falls can be dangerous for seniors living home alone. They could fall, get injured and not be able to call for help. 

Luckily, you can quickly turn a senior's home into a comfortable place for living to ensure your loved one does not trip or fall on stairs. There are home modifications that you can do to an aging loved one's home like: 

• Making floors slip-resistant

• Switching round-style doorknobs to lever-style doorknobs

• Installing grab bars in bathrooms

• Moving furniture against the walls. 

Hire the services of in home senior care Omaha NE team

Akkase Home Health Care provides home help for the elderly, from bathing, grooming to cleaning, cooking and eating. Contact us today for professional caregivers for your elderly parents.