However, as we age, our freedom may feel threatened. Our minds and bodies can deteriorate due to wear and tear or sickness, making certain daily chores harder to complete without assistance. While our capacities may vary, our yearning for freedom is rarely altered. This is where issues can arise if an elderly person believes they no longer have a say in how things are done in their daily life. This loss of freedom can cause bad mood, a lack of motivation, feelings of loneliness, and discouragement.
Helping an elderly person remain as independent as possible is critical for both physical and mental health. It improves their quality of life, gives them a sense of purpose, and increases their self-esteem and confidence. If they are receiving family support, being able to do certain activities on their own can help them feel valuable, keep them mentally and physically busy, and frequently make them feel less like a burden on others.
How can you help an older person maintain their independence?
Obviously, how you foster independence in daily living will be determined by your loved one's mental and physical capacities. The good news is that you can attempt a variety of things, and even the tiniest gestures can have a tremendous impact.
It's also worth mentioning that not all elderly persons desire a great degree of freedom. For some older individuals, the prospect of complete independence might be daunting, especially if they have a chronic disease, have recently been ill, or have had a bad fall. Always let the elderly person take the initiative and assist them in doing as much or as little as they can. Independence is about having a choice and feeling in charge.
Creating their own daily regimen
This involves providing an elderly person the freedom to determine how they spend their day, from when they wake up to when they go to bed. In some cases, some concessions may be required; for example, if they are receiving visits from a caregiver, certain duties must be postponed until they arrive. However, you should always work through these challenges together to find a solution that works for everyone. Routines may need to change based on how a person feels on a given day, so make sure there is some flexibility for this.
Meal planning and eating
The ability to eat what we want, when we want, may appear insignificant, but these habits and skills can change dramatically in later life, making it a common area where people feel powerless. For example, if they are unable to cook for themselves, meal times may vary depending on when someone can come and assist. If they have difficulty chewing, the softer foods supplied may not appeal to them or feel like baby food.
Always involve an older person as much as possible when planning meals for the week, and be specific when asking them what they'd like to eat - you might find it easier to sit down together and write a shopping list, or order goods online. It can also be beneficial to stock the cupboards and fridge with some of their favorite foods so that they have alternatives if their plans change.
At mealtimes, make sure they have easy-to-grip utensils and offer to cut up or prepare food so it's simpler to consume if necessary. If they have dementia, use a brightly colored dish to assist them differentiate it from the table. An older person may eat more slowly but is still completely capable of doing it on their own, so don't rush them at mealtime.
Look and feel their best
Choosing what we wear and how we style our hair is a deeply personal choice that we must maintain throughout our lives. It allows an older person to express themselves and revitalize their sense of identity at a point in their lives when they may feel less visible.
It is critical to allow an elderly person to choose their own attire. If they chose something incorrect for the occasion or weather, give a similar choice. If they struggle with buttons or finicky fastenings, assist them in finding more adaptable options that still suit their style, or offer to take certain pieces to a tailor to replace fastenings with simple pull zips or velcro.
You may have your own opinions about what they should wear or which hairstyle would fit them best, but don't try to impose your preferences on them. Make sure you're willing to assist them in achieving the style they like, unless a modification would benefit their independence; for example, a shorter hairdo is often easier to handle.
Staying active
A loss of mobility can be upsetting for an elderly person, making them feel unable to go to particular locations and undertake certain activities. Gently encouraging mobility not only promotes greater physical health, but it also provides a sense of accomplishment and helps a person stay connected to their community.
Staying active might entail a variety of things, including being able to do some cleaning or tidying about the house. Others may want to incorporate some light exercise into their weekly routine, such as going for a brief walk to the store.
Again, choosing is essential. If an older person wants to get more exercise, let them choose the type of activity that they love the most. If kids want to go outside for a walk more often, let them choose the route.
Enjoying hobbies
A hobby is a terrific way for an older person to unwind and do something they enjoy. A creative pastime can give you a great sense of success, while devoting time to studying about a certain topic can help keep your mind engaged.
If your loved one has lost interest in formerly enjoyable activities or finds them too challenging, assist them in finding something new.
What additional efforts may I take to assist an elderly person who lives alone?
Improve home safety.
If a loved one can securely live alone, consider making some little adjustments to their home to provide peace of mind. If they have arthritis and occasionally have stiffer joints, simple steps like installing grab rails can assist make their house a safer place for them to live. A video doorbell that you and the elderly can monitor can assist track who comes to the house and alert you to any unusual comings and goings - especially if a loved one is in the early stages of dementia. Meanwhile, an alarm system linked to a central switchboard can assist in an emergency.
If your loved one has physical limits or mobility concerns, they may find it challenging to perform certain daily duties. It may be able to reorganize items in the house to better meet their needs. For example, lowering kitchen cabinets so that they may quickly and safely access what they need.
If they are prone to slipping in the bathtub, consider replacing the bathroom with a wet room with level access and a shower seat, allowing them to handle their personal hygiene independently while reducing the chance of their injuring themselves.
Help them become social
Everyone should have the opportunity to see old acquaintances and meet new ones. If they are a member of a social club or community group, offer to transport them to their meetings or accompany them if they like.
If they're lonely and want to broaden their social circle, consider sitting down with them and assisting them in finding local social activities or friendship groups that they might enjoy. Age UK's directory and Re-engage are useful locations to start looking into choices.
How Live-in Care Can Help
If your loved ones require long-term care Live-in care could be an appropriate choice. Live-in carers appreciate the importance of allowing the persons they care for to be as autonomous as possible while providing as much or as little assistance with daily duties as is required.
For family and friends, the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your loved one can always count on someone to aid them when they need it is invaluable.
Most people value the freedom to make decisions about various elements of their everyday lives, particularly elderly loved ones who have grown accustomed to a lifetime of independence.
Deciding when to go to bed, where to go on a day trip, or what to eat for dinner is not always easy at a residential care home or nursing home, and it can be even more challenging in the elderly person's own home if they must rely on visiting carers.
However, with a live-in caregiver who is entirely dedicated to providing the one-on-one care that your loved one need, your loved one should be able to continue living independently for as long as feasible. With the assistance of a live-in caregiver, they will be able to safely enjoy the activities available in their neighborhood while also maintaining relationships with friends and neighbours.
What additional efforts may I take to assist an elderly person who lives alone?
Improve home safety.
If a loved one can securely live alone, consider making some little adjustments to their home to provide peace of mind. If they have arthritis and occasionally have stiffer joints, simple steps like installing grab rails can assist make their house a safer place for them to live. A video doorbell that you and the elderly can monitor can assist track who comes to the house and alert you to any unusual comings and goings - especially if a loved one is in the early stages of dementia. Meanwhile, an alarm system linked to a central switchboard can assist in an emergency.
If your loved one has physical limits or mobility concerns, they may find it challenging to perform certain daily duties. It may be able to reorganize items in the house to better meet their needs. For example, lowering kitchen cabinets so that they may quickly and safely access what they need.
If they are prone to slipping in the bathtub, consider replacing the bathroom with a wet room with level access and a shower seat, allowing them to handle their personal hygiene independently while reducing the chance of their injuring themselves.
Help them become social
Everyone should have the opportunity to see old acquaintances and meet new ones. If they are a member of a social club or community group, offer to transport them to their meetings or accompany them if they like.
If they're lonely and want to broaden their social circle, consider sitting down with them and assisting them in finding local social activities or friendship groups that they might enjoy. Age UK's directory and Re-engage are useful locations to start looking into choices.
How Live-in Care Can Help
If your loved ones require long-term care Live-in care could be an appropriate choice. Live-in carers appreciate the importance of allowing the persons they care for to be as autonomous as possible while providing as much or as little assistance with daily duties as is required.
For family and friends, the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your loved one can always count on someone to aid them when they need it is invaluable.
Most people value the freedom to make decisions about various elements of their everyday lives, particularly elderly loved ones who have grown accustomed to a lifetime of independence.
Deciding when to go to bed, where to go on a day trip, or what to eat for dinner is not always easy at a residential care home or nursing home, and it can be even more challenging in the elderly person's own home if they must rely on visiting carers.
However, with a live-in caregiver who is entirely dedicated to providing the one-on-one care that your loved one need, your loved one should be able to continue living independently for as long as feasible. With the assistance of a live-in caregiver, they will be able to safely enjoy the activities available in their neighborhood while also maintaining relationships with friends and neighbours.
