11.15.09
Caregiving Toward Independence
How to Help your Dependent Senior Live more Independently
Transitioning from family relationships into the roles of caregiver and care recipient can dramatically change the relational dynamics. A common mistake most caregivers make is doing too much for their loved one. Encouraging your loved one to maintain independence as much as possible while maintaining reasonable expectations will relieve your own burden, improve her sense of dignity, and encourage her physical mobility. Here are a few ways you can do this.
- Maintain reasonable expectations. Expect your loved one to participate in her own care as much as she is able. It’s tempting to rush in and help immediately, but unless your loved one is in trouble, giving wait time can convince her she can handle the task at hand herself. This can be difficult especially if your loved one is feeling helpless or frustrated with her loss of ability, but successful independence even in little tasks will add to her overall sense of autonomy. Encourage and applaud every success and effort.
- Provide something for your loved one to tend or care for like a pet or a plant. Some studies have shown that having something depend on you can prolong life. Just be sure she is really able to provide the necessary care and it will not become another task you need to add to your to-do list.
- Rearranging the home and using assistive devices may help your loved one move around with greater ease independently without the use of traditional Texas elderly care like assisted living, and nursing homes. Move her to a bedroom closer to the bathroom, add a hand railing in the hallway, a chair lift on the stairs, a shower chair or raised toilet seat in the bathroom. Even the simpler devices, like a button hook, or velcro closures on clothing and shoes could make a major difference in allowing your loved one to dress herself.
- Planning outings and social interaction is essential to preventing depression and feelings of isolation, or worthlessness. Allow your loved one to choose locations, and schedule regular visits with family and friends. Asking them to put a date on the calendar and following up with a phone call a day before is a great way to make sure they remember.
- Encourage good hygiene and personal maintenance, such as shaving and regular hair cuts. This is important to your loved one’s sense of dignity.
- Regular exercise will go a long way to maintaining mobility and independence. Consistency is more important than intensity or length of workout. Work toward increasing large muscle movement, but recognize that even small movements on a regular basis will help your loved one to maintain and improve overall muscle tone, allowing her to do more on her own.
- Allowing your loved one to make her own choices as much as possible will give her a sense of control and autonomy. Encourage her to choose bed time, clothing, hobbies, reading, entertainment, and activities.
These simple choices and responsibilities can make a huge difference in the life of an aging loved one. They can help fend off the sense of helpless and depression that can so easily creep in.
