Independence with dignity is something everyone craves, especially seniors. They’ve spent a lifetime working, raising a family, and making their own decisions. Their primary desire is to live at home – independently.
Unfortunately for aging adults, remaining independent can be more challenging as they get older. Difficulties with mobility, balance, memory, and nutrition are challenges they try to overcome daily.
You can help the senior in your life maintain their independence. Here are five things you can do to enhance their quality of life, as well as their social, cognitive, and physical skills.
1. Make Safety Modifications In The Home
Falling is a serious concern for seniors. They know that a nasty fall resulting in a broken hip can mean the loss of their independence. If they’ve fallen before, they may be worried about showering, walking, and doing everyday tasks independently.
Several things you can do to help keep them safe are:
- Install grab rails in the shower and near the toilet
- Put in a shower chair
- Install a ramp
- Make sure lighting is adequate for safety
- Remove clutter where they walk
2. Arrange For Social Time
Isolated seniors are often unhappy seniors. They need to keep in regular contact with their friends and social circle. Help your senior receive calls and letters and arrange regular visits from family and friends if they’re home-bound. If they’re able, take them to events outside the home, such as cards or games at a local senior center.
Time with family also counts as social time. If their family is located out of the area, help them use FaceTime or Zoom for video calls to share in the lives of their loved ones. It will keep them from feeling alone and isolated, which has been shown to cause depression in older adults.
3. Give Them Choices
Seniors love to be involved in making decisions that affect them. They’re used to having options to choose from. Involving them in meal planning, movie selection, and the destinations of outings are just a few of the ways you can include them. They may not always get what they want, but at least they’ll have a vote and a voice.
4. Let Them Do It
As we live with a senior and see them unable to do all of the things they used to do, like lifting boxes or planting rows of flowers, we tend to want to do things for them, not with them. It’s okay to offer to help or jump in if it looks like they’re going to hurt themselves, but resist the urge to do things for them that they’re capable of doing themselves. Mom may not be able to plant and care for a garden at this point in her life, but she can probably care for a tomato plant or two.
5. Keep Them Moving
Seniors that don’t move around will eventually start to have their muscles atrophy from lack of use. This not only makes movement more limited for them, but it also decreases independence. Visit with your loved one and their doctor to determine what exercises are right for them. Encourage your senior to take time to move every day, which will keep them physically fit and maintain their independence.
We Can Help Maintain Your Senior Loved One’s Independence
Assisting Hands Home Care can help your loved one with companionship, exercise, recreational activities, and many more services for seniors in Bedford, MA. Our services can help keep Boston seniors happy, safe, and able to continue aging in place at home.
Call us today at (781) 315-6700 to schedule your free consultation and personalized assessment. We’re here to help!
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