As you go through the varied periods of your life, your levels of independence can take on different meanings. They can be significant stages, such as leaving your parents’ home or getting married, or smaller stages, such as accomplishing tasks you didn’t think you could do. Then later, as you age, independence takes on still another form – having the option to stay in your own home safely and securely. This desire to be at home can remain the greatest wish of many older individuals, no matter their condition of health or means to function on their own, even in the midst of injury, illness and ongoing conditions.
For adult children, providing care for older parents at home can turn out to be filled with physical, emotional and social concerns, as they increase their duties as caregiver and become progressively engaged in the everyday responsibilities this crucial role demands, all while sustaining that balance of independence.
It’s easy to get swept up in the role of caregiver when the need emerges—your parents have done so much for you that, when they reach a point in their lives when they need extra help, it’s natural for you to want to do everything you can to ensure that they are taken care of. Still, it’s essential to remember that, for the majority of older adults, preserving that independence was a key point in their preference to stay at home. While your intentions may be well meaning, it can sometimes be easy to go from caring for senior parents to accomplishing everything for them. And many times, this well-meaning hands-on caregiving can have a detrimental effect on enhancing self-sufficiency and overall day-to-day freedom. As your parents’ caregiver, you should endeavor to promote the independence of your loved ones, not take over. The senior care experts at Live Well at Home can help you learn how to promote senior independence right at home in Sacramento!
Why is promoting independence in seniors so crucial?
- Independence allows aging family members to continue making contributions to the world around them, and feel good about that influence
- Self-sufficiency provides seniors with a sense of satisfaction and self-worth, critical during their later years
- Being able to accomplish some tasks independently promotes future and continuing self-reliance—if they can do this, they can almost certainly handle that!
- Independence combats frustration and feelings of futility, even in the wake of illness, injury and overall aging
In these instances it’s critical to put yourself in your aging parents’ shoes. How would you react if there were things you were able to do, but were unable because another individual had taken over? Enabling your senior loved ones to do things independently offers a sense of purpose and can help them feel self-assured. By bringing in professional assistance from people who specialize in home care for seniors, you can help enhance your parents’ feelings of empowerment and capacity to function successfully at home. Live Well at Home, a Sacramento elder care company, can help you and your loved one when this need arises.
Our skilled staff provide a broad range of senior care services right at home in Sacramento, allowing your loved ones to focus on what they can do, and helping them with tasks they would rather not do or now have a hard time accomplishing. Our in-home care services include light housework and meal preparation as well as general assistance with everyday tasks. By allowing our staff to provide this type of care, both you and your parents can work better together to foster self-reliance, independence and an enhanced overall quality of life. Contact Live Well at Home online or by phone at 916-459-3220 today to learn more.