By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    physical health
    5 Ways Playing Games Can Improve Neural and Physical Health
    September 9, 2022
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
    Chewing Matters More Than You Think: Why Proper Chewing Supports Better Health
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Obamacare vs. Romneycare
    October 11, 2012
    HIMSS recap
    HIMSS Privacy and Security Forum: Managing Social Media While Protecting Privacy and Security
    September 12, 2014
    Almost Anybody Qualifies for Medicaid in Maine
    November 23, 2012
    Latest News
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Caring for the elderly in their home – what you need to remember
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > Caring for the elderly in their home – what you need to remember
Wellness

Caring for the elderly in their home – what you need to remember

Helpline
Last updated: June 16, 2018 12:28 am
Helpline
Share
8 Min Read
SHARE

As any carer for the elderly in nursing or residential homes will know, there are many key physical issues to consider for every patient. But when you’re caring for them in their own home, even if they’re a parent or close relative, there are important things to remember that go beyond their health care and personal care.

Contents
It’s not all about youRestore dignity and confidenceBe patient with your patientMaintain trust and reliabilityProvide a good quality of life

A carer’s instinct will prioritise the physical needs of any elderly patient, such as medication or physio care. But other, more simple, needs can get overlooked, and carers should be aware of them. While Helpline are able to provide a friendly voice at a time of need for your elderly patient, it’s down to you as the carer to ensure the more subtle human touch is always there.

It’s not all about you

When you’re caring for any elderly person in their home, it’s important to make sure they’re treated just like any other human being. This sounds obvious, but they are someone’s relative, close or otherwise – they may even be a close relative of your own – and they deserve the same attention as anyone else.

Caring for the elderly is not an easy job. In fact, it’s one of the hardest jobs to do and it can get overwhelming at times. Each patient has different needs that require time and dedication. So while your own life may be filled with the tasks of daily life, in that moment your personal schedule should never overtake the needs of those you’re caring for.

More Read

7 Tips For Better Sleep In Children And Teens
Natural Detox And Colon Cleanse Supplements: Benefits And Risks
Encouraging the Parent-Child Dialogue About Cancer
Try These Powerful Ayurvedic Tips To Stay Healthy
The Benefits of Using a Healthy Food Delivery Service

It’s the little things that add up, and any shortcuts or timesavers you introduce as a carer can have a big impact on your patient. Your sole focus should be on them, providing the complete care they need and the attention they deserve. Remember, it’s not about you, it’s about them.

Restore dignity and confidence

Aging is a natural process that none of us can stop. But your patient has reached a stage in their life that’s left them with limited ability. They rely on outside help and carers to do basic, physical tasks that not so long ago, they were able to do with ease.

They may be fiercely independent people who have led an active life, and are now heavily reliant on carers like you to help them carry out basic personal hygiene. This can cause resentment and even anger, but it will also cause sadness, vulnerability, and a loss of self confidence and dignity.

As a carer, part of your role is to help them restore that self confidence and dignity. Try not to rush in and do everything for them as if they’re completely unable. If they can to do things on their own, show them respect and give them support in helping them achieve what they’re able to.

Be patient with your patient

At times, any care you give to your elderly patient can sometimes be met with resistance. We’ve all been in the situation where we don’t want to do something, or have something done for us, but we’re able to communicate this effectively. Your patient may not have the ability or the skills to do this.

Patience is a key skill for you as a carer, and understanding the needs of your patient goes a long way to providing the effective care they need. Listening to them and taking the time to understand their issues will help keep them—and you—calm. When you understand their limitations as a patient, your patient/carer relationship will strengthen.

By building your relationship, over time you’ll learn a lot about each other. And by simply listening to them, not just about their ailments or demands, you’ll gain their trust and mutual respect. But always remember to retain privacy and discretion in any conversations between you.

Maintain trust and reliability

Trust is an important aspect to any patient/carer relationship. Elderly patients, many of whom will have lived independently for many years, like, prefer, and often need routine in their days. So earning the trust of your patient with your reliability and ability to keep to set schedules are key traits for any carer.

Your reliability should never come into question by your elderly patients. Unreliable behaviour or an unconcerned approach to their care, can lead to concerns that you may not have their best interest at heart. While this is unfounded, unreliability can have a significant effect.

If you’re late or don’t show up, this could prove disastrous for your patient. While it could cause feelings of abandonment or anxiety, it could also lead to patients attempting to self-medicate, or cause injury or harm while trying to care for themselves. Elderly patients will come to rely on you and the care you provide, so it’s crucial to maintain the level of trust and reliability they need.

Provide a good quality of life

While there’s not much we can do about the aging process, it’s down to you as a carer to ensure your patient has a good quality of life wherever possible. Many elderly patients will have the option to move to a residential care home, but will often resolutely refuse it. Staying in their own home is a sign of continuing independence and few will want to give that up.

But our homes weren’t designed to be full time care homes. So as a carer, you need to help them create an environment that will best serve them for the care they need. But while elderly people might rely on home care for their physical needs, this can lead to strong feelings of loneliness or isolation in many patients.

The ability to see friends or go to the shops can be crucial to good mental health, but your patient’s mobility may prevent this. You will often be their only link to the outside world. As a carer, improving quality of life for the elderly in their own home, and helping them lead a happy life is crucial, and is one of the most important things you can do.

While home caring is a challenge, it’s not without its rewards. Simple communication, reliability, and respect are often key factors in making your job easier. And by doing this, you’ll be able to care for your elderly patient in a way and manner they deserve.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Helpline
For more information about the Helpline personal alarm service, and how it can give both you and your elderly friend or relative complete peace of mind every day of the year, call our customer service team today on 03458 247999 or visit www.helpline.co.uk

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Therapy
How TMS Therapy Helps with Treatment-Resistant Mental Illness
Mental Health Therapies
June 13, 2025
Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
June 11, 2025
magnesium supplements
The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
Health
June 11, 2025
preparing for next pendamic
Preparing for the Next Pandemic: How Technology is Changing the Game
Technology
June 6, 2025

You Might also Like

lose weight
Weight LossWellness

How to Combine Exercise and Diet to Lose Weight

June 6, 2024
Image
NewsWellness

Person-Centered HealthCare: Living Well

July 5, 2013
middle aged health tips
Senior CareWellness

9 Critical Health Guidelines for Middle-Aged Men

January 28, 2020
Health careWellness

A Guide to First Aid Response Treatment

September 6, 2018
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?