Many elderly adults struggle with the fact that independent living is getting more challenging. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible. There are several great ways to promote independence in seniors; here are 3 key ways you can safely encourage independence for your aging loved ones: How Can I Encourage Independence for my Aging Loved Ones?
Encourage Social Opportunities
Spending time with friends and family is important for anyone. It’s unfortunate that seniors often are impacted by loneliness and isolation when they don’t have opportunities to visit with family and/or friends. Ensuring your loved one has opportunities to be social is important for their well-being and to maintain relationships. Senior classes and/or activities can be a great way for many elderly people to engage in a social situation. Another way to alleviate loneliness is with companion care, where a companion regularly visits seniors so they have a trusted person to listen, talk to, play games with, and even go on outings together.
Invest in Homemaker Services
A major part of an independent mindset is doing things yourself. Cooking meals, cleaning, and other routine tasks have usually been a part of a senior’s life for decades, and it can be hard to give up these meaningful and fulfilling tasks. However, sometimes it isn’t viable or safe for seniors to be performing certain household tasks. Homemaker services ensure seniors are living in a safe, clean, and healthy home by helping with routine home tasks. This can be a great transition for seniors who still want to perform these tasks but who could use an extra set of hands. Having a professional come in for homemaker services doesn’t mean giving up the reigns, but it can ease the burden of household tasks (and housework is more fun when you have someone to work with!).
Hire a Home Health Aide
Home health aides are a great asset for seniors residing on their own striving for independence but who need some extra assistance with certain things. Home health aides are unlicensed professionals who provide care and carry out certain duties directed by a licensed medical professional (duties such as medication reminders, hygiene help, and ensuring the home is a suitable environment). This allows seniors to live independently in the comfort of their own homes while giving family members the peace of mind that a dedicated in-home caregiver is helping to promote independent safe living. Home health care in Lauderdale MN can be a great asset for independent senior living.
There are many things you can do for your senior loved one to encourage safe, healthy, and independent living. Pinnacle Home Care, your local home care agency in Lauderdale MN, has a wide variety of services available to help promote independence in a safe and comfortable way. Contact us to learn more about our services and watch for Part 2 of this blog series for a few more ways to promote independent living for your senior loved ones.
