Elderly people are more prone to injuries due to cognitive decline. Therefore, must make the necessary adjustments to ensure the senior citizens are safe and comfortable living in the community. However, people often ignore their needs when the community mostly consists of younger residents.
Taking care of the elderly is not less than a challenge, but we cannot turn a blind eye to it as well. If your association is looking for ways to improve conditions for the elderly, you can seek advice from gilbert hoa management companies.
Tips for taking care of senior citizens in your HOA
- Obtain emergency contact information.
Keeping emergency contacts is essential regardless of the age of the person. However, since the elderly are more prone to injuries and illnesses, keeping their emergency contact information is particularly more important. An emergency contact list helps board members convey vital information to close relatives when the situation arises.
- Regular welfare checkups.
When senior citizens live alone, distant from their family members, it is important to keep a regular check on them to ensure they are doing fine. People who live right next to older adults should be responsible for checking on their older neighbors once or twice a week. The checkup does not need to be formal. It can simply be a friendly visit from a neighbor.
- Improve safety.
Older people usually have the most difficulty walking and moving from place to place. As your community residents get older, it is vital to review areas of the HOA and see whether it needs any changes. Make sure to make accommodations for people using wheelchairs or walkers, as uneven surfaces can cause serious accidents.
- Open more communication channels.
Most HOAs nowadays prefer digital communication rather than sending out letters and paper notices house to house. While many people find technology much easier and convenient, some senior citizens are not used to it. No matter what the standard mode of communication for your HOA is, try to keep more and more options open, especially for those who are less inclined towards technology.
- Communicate with them.
To keep the elderly safe and make them feel at home in the HOA, communicate with them. Pay them visits to check up on them and greet them whenever you see them outside. Ask them if they wish to raise any issues and get their feedback. Remember that older people usually do not use technology, so you need to develop an easier mode of communication for them.
Taking care of senior citizens is essential, but it is particularly more important when living alone. For additional information on keeping senior citizens safe, you can seek help from professionals.