You may want to help your elderly mom or dad thrive in their old age, but they may need more help than you had initially expected. You may already have tons of responsibilities, and maybe your senior doesn’t want their children’s help, and that’s totally reasonable on your senior’s behalf.
Oral health and overall health are crucial for your seniors if they are determined to age in place. But if they can’t brush their own teeth, shower, or dress on their own, it can feel embarrassing for them; even if they know they need to do these things, they may not want to ask you for your help. This is when it can be crucial to think about hiring personal care at home for your loved one.
How Can Personal Care at Home Help?
Sometimes a senior feels more comfortable working with a professional rather than their own children. They may not want to burden you or worry you and feel more comfortable working with them and developing a relationship where they can rely on personal care at home to help them take care of uncomfortable things like brushing their teeth! Personal care may help a senior brush their teeth up to twice a day, floss, rinse dentures, and more.
Personal care at home can be a vigilant set of eyes. For example, they may help a senior avoid sugar which can help oral health and cook healthier meals.
They may also be able to watch for any signs that there are potential problems and help them make appointments with a dentist or other professional.
Tips to Help Your Senior with Oral Care
Certain foods can cause problems with oral care, and a professional may be able to help keep an eye on what a senior eats and guide them in the right direction. However, personal care at home can do a lot more than that. Here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure a senior’s oral health is kept in check.
Focus on Flossing
Of course, you and your senior know that they should be brushing twice a day, but something often overlooked is flossing. A senior should be flossing every time they brush or even before they brush their teeth. Sometimes, if a senior snacks throughout the day, they may also want to floss every time they eat so no food gets stuck or infected.
They Should Keep Going to the Dentist
Your seniors may think that personal care at home is good enough, but the truth is, although they can help with personal needs, they are not professional doctors! A dentist has gone to school for years and is the best person to ask about teeth and mouth concerns. Your senior should go at least once a year or more if they see anything abnormal.
Pay Attention to Medication
Something you may not always consider is that medications can have side effects. Some medications can cause dry mouth, impacting how a senior’s mouth feels or causing problems. If a senior is experiencing dry mouth, it can lead to cavities which can lead to pain if not treated! Pay attention to medication side effects and ensure they visit the dentist when necessary.
