As your loved ones age, it becomes more difficult for them to stay independent, as much as they may want to be. It is important to help them maintain their own livelihood, even if their decreased mobility and/or mental capacity weaken their ability to care for themselves properly. A lack of mobility or weakened eyesight can also prevent an elderly individual from being able to drive themselves where they need to go. They may need help getting groceries, going to the doctor, or picking up prescriptions. Eventually, your older loved one may become home-bound. This article will explore ways to help and support home-bound family members.
Why Is Your Loved One Stuck at Home?
For older adults, being home-bound can be a progression of decreasing mobility and/or social isolation. With age come mobility issues, health concerns, and fatigue. Compounding chronic health conditions can also add to these difficulties. For many older adults, this isolation can be a gradual change.
Agoraphobia
Some older adults, however, suffer from a mental health condition called agoraphobia. It is an anxiety disorder where the individual develops a fear of not being able to escape certain situations. This can progress until the individual does not want to leave their home at all. This condition can progress naturally, though it is often caused as a reaction to an extremely traumatizing event. Extreme isolation and becoming home-bound is often a progression of agoraphobia, especially in older adults. They may even become panicked at the thought of leaving their home in advanced cases.
Grocery Shopping
Going to the supermarket or local convenience store can be a big task for an elderly person who is lacking in mobility. Many elderly individuals who live alone begin to eat less healthily because they do not have as much access to fresh ingredients due to a lack of mobility. Many supermarkets and local grocery stores alike offer delivery options that can help you keep your loved one’s pantry full and the fridge stocked with fresh ingredients. As a child or loved one of a shut-in, it can be better for you to place online orders with the grocery store for them.
Some big supermarkets and Amazon have apps that can allow you to ensure that the deliveries are being made regularly, without your loved one having to worry about it themselves. Many of them offer subscription deliveries to ensure that your loved one has what they need delivered regularly.
Dietary Planning For Agoraphobic or Home-Bound Individuals
Some doctors may suggest that certain foods be avoided due to certain medications that your loved one is on. Certain medications can work best with a diet rich in certain nutrients. Knowing which of those ingredients to highlight in your loved one’s diet can help you make sure that they stick around for a long time. Work with your family member’s doctor and nutritionist, if they go to one, to pick ingredients that fit their needs.
Prescription Deliveries
Your loved one must be getting the prescriptions they need to stay healthy. But as they age, it can become increasingly more difficult to travel to the pharmacy to pick up their medications. Many pharmacies, both local and chain, offer prescription delivery services that can help your loved one keep up with their refills. Several online services provide delivery of prescriptions. As a child or loved one of a shut-in, it can be better for you to make online orders to the pharmacy for them.
Shop around to see which services are active in your area, and which one has the best features for your loved one. Many of these services, for both completely online programs and physical pharmacies, offer online chats with pharmacists so that your loved one can stay informed about their medications.
Mental Health Care for Agoraphobic and Home-Bound Individuals
Mental health support can be incredibly beneficial to home-bound individuals. Telehealth appointments can make it easy for your loved one to access the care they need, while remaining at home. Many home-bound elders struggle with the isolation they experience while stuck in the house. For aging adults, worsening mobility and reliance on others for basic care needs can impact their mental health greatly.
As agoraphobia is a mental health condition, addressing it with a therapist or other mental health professional can be a vital treatment pathway. Telehealth is a great way to help your loved one work through their fear, as well as associated trauma.
Home Health Aides
A home health aide can be a great asset in ensuring your loved one is well cared for. They can assist your loved one throughout the week with their daily needs. Our Certified Home Health Aides can help them with simple chores such as cooking and cleaning, assistance in the tub, or even grocery shopping. Home health aides also provide social interaction that can be vital to keeping your loved one from feeling too isolated.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services does not provide medical, healthcare, or financial advice via articles. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for advice.
Safe Harbor Healthcare Services has provided excellent home care on Staten Island since 1967. Our services help older and disabled individuals live safely and independently while giving their families the peace of mind they need. For more information, contact us or call (718)-979-6900.
