Top 3 Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) Aging Relatives Need Help With
There's a lot to learn about caring for aging relatives. From helping with medication to supporting your senior loved one mentally, caregivers play a very important role in a senior's life. Understanding the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) is an important part of interacting with a senior loved one. These IADLs are complex and contribute greatly to a senior's quality of life. Here are the top three IADLs that all senior caregivers should be aware of, as well as guidance on how to assist senior loved ones in these activities, courtesy of Senior Helpers Spokane.
1. Medication Management
Many senior adults have a robust medication schedule that they must follow. This can include refill requests at the pharmacy, scheduling and attending medical visits, and taking the medication as prescribed. If a senior is on multiple medications or has a serious health condition, this can be a lot to keep up with, and this is why medication management is one of the top IADLs that seniors need help with.
Caregivers can support their senior loved one by helping them set reminders to take needed medication, taking them to doctor's visits, and even helping to set up a daily schedule that includes the times that they should take their medicine.
2. Shopping and Transportation
According to Very Well Health, transportation or community mobility is an IADL that seniors need help with as it is of great importance to many of them. Even seniors who don't often leave their homes need to get out on occasion for groceries or other essentials, and some seniors who are quite social might need to leave their houses once a day or more. Caregivers can support their seniors by assisting them with transportation or by arranging a ride for their senior loved one with a rideshare service.
3. Cleaning and Chores
Many senior adults take great pride in cleaning their homes and like to handle most of the cleaning duties on their own. However, if your senior loved one is getting overwhelmed by the demands of caring for a home, it might be time to offer assistance. Hiring a cleaning service is a great way to support your aging relative. You could request that the cleaning service stop by once a month for a deep clean, or come in on a more regular basis to assist your senior with routine tasks such as laundry, dishes, and cleaning common spaces.
Senior Helpers Is the Premier Provider of Senior Care
There's a lot to consider when offering assistance to an aging relative. Whenever offering help to your senior, make sure to remain compassionate and open, and express to your senior how much you value their presence in your life.
If you need help coordinating care for a senior relative, reach out to Senior Helpers Spokane. We provide premium care services to seniors in and around the Spokane, Coeur D'Alene, Post Falls, Sandpoint, Rathdrum, Hayden, and Moscow areas. Contact us today to learn about the services we offer and to see how we can help you and your aging relative!