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Independent Living Advice For Elderly Populations In Rural Areas

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Although living independently in a rural area can create potential difficulties for elderly people, it can also have many benefits. Provided that independence is effectively managed it is possible for older people to live alone in more isolated areas. Take a look at the following points which will provide you with all the advice you need about how to care for an elderly person living in a remote area.

Mobility Matters

For older people living alone, personal safety is tantamount. If you are worried about the safety of a person you know, it’s best to talk to them first about your concerns and if necessary get an assessment carried out by a medical professional or social worker to determine whether the person in question has enough mobility to get around their home on their own without any problems.

In some cases where it seems a move will be necessary, you may find that the problem can be solved by the addition of simple mobility equipment, like handles around the toilet and washing facilities or a stairlift. Modern stairlifts come with backup batteries which means they won’t end up halfway up the stairs if there’s a power cut, which can be particularly useful in rural areas.

However, in some cases, you will be advised that full-time care is necessary, in which case it’s best to follow the advice drawn from an assessment. Although this may mean the elderly person moving into a care home, they may simply be able to continue to live in their own property with the help of a live-in nurse or regular care visitor.

Loneliness Kills

Loneliness is something that many older people experience and even those living in busy towns or retirement apartments can become isolated, so it’s easy to see how this issue could be exacerbated even further for someone living in a rural area. However, even in the most remote of places, you’ll usually find day centers for older citizens, which in some cases they can attend every day of the week. In addition, driving services can be employed to take clients shopping or help them run errands and home visitors, as well as home carers, can be arranged.

To avoid an older person living rurally becoming isolated it’s essential to take advantage of all the available services. You can talk to your social worker or visit the website of your local council to find out more about the services that are available in your area.

Quick Contact

When an older person is living unaided, one thing that can really help to make them and those who look after them feel more secure is the ability to quickly call for help if necessary. It’s simple and cost-effective to set up a pull cord alarm system within a home, which can be placed in bathrooms and other areas where there’s a greater risk of falling.

Alarms can be worn around the neck at all times and can be pressed to alert the relevant person in the event of a fall, ensuring that the person being cared for and carers know that help can be called if necessary. It’s a move that will clearly lead to greater peace of mind for all parties.