Kerr Medical Products Can Help
Most seniors want to live independently in their homes if possible. Indeed, if our senior parents are still in good health and living on their own, we may not feel any drastic changes or feel concerns.
However, there will come a time when the effects of aging become more evident. The older our parents get, the more you find out that they are unable to complete their daily tasks necessary to keep up with the house.
Regular visits to your aging parents’ homes allows you the opportunity to assess how well they are managing on their own. Your parents might say that they’re doing “fine.” But a quick peek around your senior parent’s house may lead you to discover some things they may not reveal otherwise.
These are some of the “red flags” that you should look out for when visiting senior parents:
- Unsteady gait or problems with balance – As a person ages, they gradually lose their sense of balance. An aging person who has an unsteady gait, or struggles to maintain their balance, can be at serious risk of a fall. Look closely for signs of how your senior parents move around in their home. If they are sitting too much, avoiding the stairs, or being reluctant to leave home, these can be signs that they are worried about falling.
- Messy home surroundings – You may find a lot of random clutter on the floor, unopened mail on the counter, piles of dirty dishes left in the sink, and expired food in the fridge. These are all indications that your senior loved ones may have trouble keeping up around their house.
- Struggles with eating or preparing meals – It also helps to observe your senior parents’ eating habits. Are they getting the right nutrients from the food they eat? Are they struggling to open canned foods, bottles, or containers? Have they accidentally eaten expired food? Also, find out if your aging parents can cook and prepare at least simple meals on their own. Take time to look at the kitchen and dining area to look for any indications of potential hazards. For example, a scorched pan is a sign that your senior parent may have forgotten that they are cooking until the food starts to burn. This can be a serious fire hazard.
- Failure in taking care of themselves – Are your parents struggling with taking baths on their own? Is bedwetting becoming a frequent occurrence? Your aging parents’ unkempt appearance and bad odor are signs that they need help taking care of themselves.
Fortunately, Kerr Medical offers devices and products that can make independent living more comfortable for your senior loved ones.
Kerr Medical Products Designed for Senior Care
Kerr Medical offers products that can ease the growing physical challenges that aging parents face.
- Aids for increased mobility – A quad cane is an easy-to-use device ideal for seniors who need moderate support to walk comfortably. Walkers and rollators are significant assistance to seniors who are having walking and mobility issues. A call button pager system lets you know when your parent has fallen or has concerns about getting help when living alone.
- Eating and meal preparation aids – Kerr Medical’s reachers help seniors have easy access to all shelves in the pantry. An all-purpose stool may provide comfort for seniors while preparing meals, while openers and utensils with padded grips give seniors the tools that make food prep and eating easier and less burdensome.
- Personal hygiene aids – Kerr Medical’s rails and grab bars provide a secure grip for the seniors when they use the bathroom. A toilet riser assists those who have difficulty bending and sitting on the toilet. A shower bench provides ease and makes bathing a little less awkward for the seniors, while a commode placed next to the bed provides a more accessible and hygienic way for the seniors to relieve themselves at night. There are special undergarments made for those who suffer incontinence.
As you are exploring solutions to help your senior parents become confident and independent in doing their day-to-day tasks, be sure to involve them in this decision-making process. Letting them to voice out their choices and opinions allows them to retain a feeling of control, and you are reassured of their safety.
The team at Kerr Medical is always ready to offer suggestions and support for you and your senior parents. If you have any questions about the products in our catalog, feel free to contact us.
