subject: Great Ideas For Helping The Elderly And Homebound [print this page] Unfortunately, as we age it gets harder and harder to care for our homes and handle chores that were originally done without a second thought. Everyday tasks like showering, dressing, and moving around the house takes all of our effort and household chores and errands fall to the wayside in our exhaustion and lack of time. If you are still young and mobile, but you know someone who could use a hand because they have grown old or failing in health, there are plenty of ways you can help. Lending a hand to the elderly or homebound is a great way to brighten someone's day and it has the added bonus of making you feel as if you have done some good for someone. There are many ways to help ease the burdens of the elderly including helping with general home maintenance. While you may want to call the professionals like a plumber for drain cleaner issues, there are plenty of other tasks you can help out with around the home.
Those with single family homes who are responsible for landscaping and lawn care will need a great deal of help keeping up with the exterior maintenance of their home. Some homeowners delight in caring for their home's exterior, regardless of their age. However, there are some who lack the energy or strength to push the lawn mower, wield the hedge trimmers, or deal with the weeding of their garden. All of these tasks give you an opportunity to help out. Also remember the elderly may need assistance shoveling the walkways should there be a snow storm.
Indoor chores may be less straining physically, but there are some activities that call for physical exertion. Homes with laundry facilities in the basement often require homeowners to carry heavy baskets of laundry up two or three flights of stairs. This can be painful and dangerous for those who are not as nimble as they used to be. If you know an elderly person with a laundry room up or downstairs, consider helping them do their laundry, or simple carry the baskets to the appropriate destination for them.
As we age, caring for our pets can be a challenge, but we still yearn for the companionship the pet provides. Offer to help an elderly relative or neighbor care for their pet so they can continue living side by side without neglecting the animal. You can walk the dog, clean the cat's litter box, or make runs to the animal doctor when needed.
Finally, remember is may be tough for your elderly friend or relative to get to the grocery store on their own. They may lack the driving ability they once had and just by giving them a life to the supermarket, you are offering them a dignified means of living on their own. If they are homebound and cannot make trips even with assistance, shop for them on the weekly basis and deliver food to their home. Remember they may also need help with food preparation, so join them occasionally for meals and help them cook and clean up.
