Eight Needs of an Elderly Person

Eight Needs of an Elderly Person

Where should we start with elderly needs and wants? The basics are easy. Just like anyone else, they have emotional and psychological needs that should be met on a daily basis. 

However, it is at this stage of life that most people require more care and support, this could include home care or nursing care of elderly patients. Let’s get into the eight common needs of an elderly individual.

Eight Needs of the Elderly

1. Family Support
2. Home Safety 
3. Medical Needs
4. Cognitive Health
5. Mobility
6. Personal Hygiene 
7. Meal Preparation
8. Social Interaction

A huge part of an elderly person’s needs are the psychological needs. If we think back to when we were all in lockdown because of COVID, we start to realize the importance of socialization for overall health. During this time, many individuals started to feel isolated and were experiencing mental health issues. If we think about an elderly person at home or in a facility, this may be exactly how they feel. This is why it is so important that the caregiver or family member that is caring for the elderly person makes sure they have social activities to keep them engaged and meet their basic social needs.

Emotional Needs of the Elderly

Emotional needs of the elderly are often neglected due to focus on physical needs, which can seem more urgent. Cognitive decline and physical issues may cause a bit of an unintentional social withdrawal, causing mental health issues. Below are a few ideas to get a conversation going with an older adult:

• Ask them for a recap of their day.
• Ask them how they are feeling (mentally, emotionally, etc.)
• Ask them if they’ve invested time into a new or existing hobby..

It is easier to ask them open ended questions to prompt a longer response. The best thing you can do for an older adult is listen, so that they know their thoughts are valuable to you.

Physical Needs of the Elderly

Elderly adults also tend to have a lot of physical needs that need to be addressed. An elderly adult will become more prone to injuries with age. They may also have physical symptoms like dry skin and nails. A caregiver can assist by helping with daily hygiene tasks, helping with appropriate physical activity, and making sure the elderly individual is getting enough sleep. A few common physical needs of an older adult to look out for include:

• Adequate amount of sleep.
• Proper oral care.
• Healthy bowel and digestive needs.
• Engaging in leisure activities.

Proper Care for Older Adults

If your parents are aging or you have elderly grandparents living with you, you want to do everything in your might to ensure they’re well taken care of and comfortable. The importance of elderly care cannot be understated. 

The truth is that as people age, their psychology, physical strength, and behavioral patterns change, and they may become more unstable. It is at this stage of life that most people require more care and support. This could include home care or nursing home care of elderly patients. 

The elderly typically need some sort of caregiving service, or help with ADL’s at home by a family member. We already discussed the physical and emotional needs of an elderly person, so this will give you a good starting point for navigating the needs of an elderly parent. You may notice quite a few social changes that come with old age, and as an illness may progress, you might consider nursing care in the home or a facility. 

Here are a few major health concerns in older adults:

1. Cognitive decline
2. Balance Issues 
3. Oral health problems
4. Heart disease 
5. Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis 
6. Respiratory disease
7. Pneumonia 
8. Vision and Hearing loss
9. Cancer 

How Senior Home Companions Can Help Improve Quality of Life for Your Elderly Loved One

Now that you have knowledge about the social, emotional and physical needs of the elderly, as well as what defines elderly care for older adults, you can determine what type of care your loved one might be needing. Did you know that Senior Home Companions offers complimentary assessments? We will come to your home to determine the level of care your loved one may need, while matching you with a caregiver who fits their specific needs. Click here or call us at (317) 251-0441 to schedule a complimentary assessment with a professional care manager today!