Growing older comes with many challenges, but it’s a natural part of life. As the relative or legal guardian of an elderly adult, you want to ensure they receive the care they need. But it’s also important to help them maintain as much independence as possible. Doing so will help them feel like they have value and purpose even when they can’t care for themselves completely. Here are five tips for balancing care and independence for aging loved ones.
1. Choose the Right Living Arrangements
If a beloved family member can no longer handle day-to-day living responsibilities, it may be time for a move. This can be a very sensitive and challenging time for them, so be as compassionate as possible. There are two primary types of care facilities for older adults: assisted living communities and nursing homes. The former provide less care and more independence, while the latter offer more care and less independence. You’ll need to make the selection that’s most appropriate for your loved one’s everyday care needs.
No matter what type of living situation you choose, it’s essential to properly vet it first. Schedule a tour, talk to management, and get to know the staff. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that some people treat elderly people unkindly, even in a professional care setting. You can reduce the likelihood of someday needing to engage a nursing home abuse attorney by doing your due diligence in advance.
2. Hire At-Home Care Services
Some older adults fear losing their independence in a nursing home or assisted living community. If your family member wants to remain at home while they age, at-home care services could be a good compromise. These services offer a good degree of independence while providing support where needed.
Home care services are customizable, meaning you can choose the level of services your loved one receives. Some commonly provided services include help with bathing or getting dressed, making meals, and managing medication needs. Look for an in-home care provider who’s properly licensed and has a reputation for professionalism, kindness, and integrity. It’s well worth your time to perform a background check and make sure the provider doesn’t have a criminal history.
3. Make Senior-Friendly Home Renovations
If your beloved elder decides to enjoy their golden years at home, you’ll probably have to make some senior-friendly renovations. Make note of any changes that could make the space safer and more comfortable for an older adult. You might choose to install a wheelchair-friendly ramp or install new kitchen countertops that are lower in height. Most home renovations are expensive, so you may need to help your loved one budget and save for them. In the meantime, make sure immediate hazards are taken care of first while you arrange financing for larger projects.
For example, if the home has hallway rugs with uplifted corners, those are obvious tripping hazards. Make it a priority to remove the rugs or secure them more effectively. Similarly, if the shower doesn’t have support bars or anti-slip treads, it poses a danger to any older adult. Schedule a weekend project to make the shower safer. Correcting these types of issues right away will make the home a less hazardous place for your loved one to reside.
4. Encourage Physical Activity
It’s easy for senior adults to become more sedentary. Daily aches and pains and decreased joint flexibility can make regular activity unpleasant. However, living a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to a variety of health issues. These include type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and early death. Help the elder in your life maintain as much fitness and independence as possible by encouraging them to stay physically active.
Consider scheduling regular walks around the neighborhood with your loved one. They’ll be more likely to stick with their walking schedule if you do it alongside them. You might also consider getting them a dog. The animal will not only provide valuable companionship, but will also help your loved one stay active. You might also consider signing your family member up for senior-friendly exercise groups in their area.
5. Let Them Make Everyday Decisions
It’s good to step in when your loved one can no longer manage important matters like their finances or health. But be careful not to go overboard and take over every aspect of their life. Most older adults feel greater purpose and fulfillment when they’re able to make at least some of their daily decisions. When someone else takes responsibility for every area of their lives, they completely lose their sense of independence.
To effectively balance care and independence, let your loved one feel in as much control of their day-to-day as possible. You can handle the bills, but let them decide what they want to wear. You can make the meals, but let them have a say in what they want to eat. Keeping them involved in the daily decision-making process can go a long way toward helping them feel valued.
Growing older is harder than many young people realize. Often, it brings with it a loss of physical strength and mental acuity. However, older adults who maintain a sense of independence seem to have an easier time handling the aging process. Use the tips above to balance care and independence for your older loved one.
