If your senior loved one gets in-home care and assistance, their life changes dramatically. They’ll still wish to be independent, and many people don’t like relying on others to do their tasks. This way of thinking is very usual as your parents were doing their own laundry, cooking, and housework before you were born. It is difficult for them to accept that they now require assistance with these basic activities.
You have the choice to use a variety of methods to help your senior loved ones to get as much independence as possible while receiving the care they need.
Here are the 8 Ways to Help Seniors Balance Support and Independence:
1. Encourage them to maintain their interests and social activities
You must use redirection techniques in senior care to help your loved ones keep up their hobbies and engage in social activities. You must attend events like reading clubs, gaming events, and movie groups, along with visiting friends, which will keep your loved one engaged and ensure their intelligence is being used. Additionally, we want to reassure them that receiving care at home won’t affect their level of living or interrupt their daily routine.
2. Allowing them to participate in daily activities
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when caring for a senior loved one and assuming they can’t perform their day-to-day activities. This can affect their mind reversely, making them feel bored and depressed. If you allow them to participate in daily activities it will help them to find inner happiness.
They will be able to assess their abilities and allow them to participate in domestic tasks such as dishwashing and laundry to help them feel more normal.
3. Give out accessible, cozy apparel
Getting dressed is personal and necessary. It’s possible that your loved ones’ mobility has decreased. Wear clothes that are comfortable and easy to get into.
As a result, they can dress independently in the morning and feel proud of themselves.
Furthermore, it is critical to consider where the clothing is stored because they may be unable to open heavy closet doors or reach the top shelves. To avoid this potential issue, keep their clothes in easily accessible areas of the bedroom.
4. Install auxiliary hardware at home
Consider purchasing household items that will allow your loved one to maintain their independence at home as they age and their need for assistance increases.
Use bathroom grab bars to prevent slipping and stair railings to aid stair climbing are both recommended pieces of assistive technology.
If they have balance or mobility issues and the house has a substantial outdoor front stairway, they may decide to install a ramp or walking frame.
5. Let them decide for themselves
Allow your senior persons to make decisions for themselves while they still have the capacity to do so. Making decisions for a loved one, especially without their consent, can frustrate them and reduce their happiness and quality of life.
Allowing them to make their own decisions while receiving caregiver support will help them maintain control over their lives.
6. Encourage both mental and physical activity
Exercise is critical to ensuring that your loved one maintains the best physical, mental, and emotional health possible. You can participate in a variety of fitness groups or encourage outdoor activities for seniors.
These can keep your loved one occupied while also providing an excellent setting for meeting new people and forming friendships. Mental exercises such as puzzles and board games can stimulate the mind.
7. Make sure their house is secure
Home safety is critical for senior citizens to remain active. Find any potential hazards in the house that can be removed to reduce the risk of falls. It is easy to overlook shoes on the floor, gardening tools in the backyard, extension cords near walkways, and other hazards that increase the risk of falling. Make sure that everything is put away to keep paths clear and secure.
8. Maintain contact and understand when to offer assistance
Ensure that you communicate with your loved one as you would with anybody else. Make them feel like they are a part of your daily life by asking for their input on numerous topics and treating them the same way you always have.
Developing open, honest communication with the caregiver and yourself is crucial for figuring out what your elderly loved one can’t do and requires assistance with.
Make sure you are able to recognize these scenarios and supply or request the caregiver to offer assistance accordingly. Seniors frequently experience embarrassment and won’t ask for help.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that your elderly loved one may not feel their age. By putting these ideas into practice, they will be able to ease into the process. Now, your loved one can maintain their independence while receiving the care they need.
Our team at Siskiyou Spring Senior Living concentrates on your family’s top priorities. We create care plans that are specific to your loved one’s needs. We want to make your loved one’s home pleasant and bright to make sure they are always taken care of.
Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have any questions about our eldercare services. We’d be delighted to go over how your senior loved one can benefit from our high-quality elder care.
