Honor their dignity during Senior Independence Month
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines aging in place as, “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.”
To live independently — that’s a key goal for so many seniors. And losing that independence as we age is a major fear. But according to a 2012 AARP study, 57% of seniors over age 70 need help with daily tasks and no longer find it easy to live alone. For a senior who has confidently handled their own life for half a century, losing full independence can be a hard blow, and having to accept help with daily tasks can be depressing, frustrating and even frightening.
In honor of Senior Independence Month, we want to talk about the ways that compassionate caregivers can help to restore the dignity of independent life, even when full independence is no longer possible.
Sometimes the only thing standing between a senior and total independence is the need for help with a simple task, like medication management, grocery shopping or meal preparation. All that a senior might need to feel in control of such a task is to be asked for input during the planning stage. Even when assistance is required with more intimate tasks like dressing, bathing, grooming and toileting, by ensuring privacy, working to achieve trust, and remembering that caregiving is a supporting and not a leading role, caregivers can help to maintain that spark of personal pride that we all get from taking care of ourselves. Finally, by making sure that your senior loved ones have access to a telephone, a contact sheet, and an organized and consistent caregiving schedule or calendar, you can help them to feel in control of the process, and not always dependent upon others.
We have linked to a downloadable PDF document below with even more suggestions on how to help your loved ones retain the dignity of independence, even when full independence is no longer possible. And please remember that the compassionate caregivers at Overture Home Care are always here to help. From the beginning, our goal has been to provide the support services necessary for our clients to live as independently as possible, either in their own private homes or in independent living facilities or retirement homes. Call us at (817) 887-9401 for a free consultation today.