As we age, it’s natural to need a bit of extra help at home to maintain quality of life. If you’ve got an aging parent or loved one, it might even be you who is providing that care.
If so, it can be tricky to find the right balance between helping when it’s needed and stepping back when it’s not. This is what we mean when we say ‘aging with dignity’ – it’s about treating someone with respect and empowering them to make their own choices. By giving an elderly person some measure of autonomy and independence, we maintain their sense of worth and allow them to live the best life they can, whatever their circumstances.
How to Help Your Loved One Age With Dignity
Everyone deserves care for their wellbeing, including the elderly. Implementing strategies that promote aging with dignity will help them feel recognized and respected and means they can feel comfortable and safe in their own home.
Things like physical activity, healthy food, good hygiene and stimulating company are major contributors to overall health, including mental health – however these can be more difficult for those living with physical or other limitations. Fortunately, if you’re providing care there are plenty of things you can do to support and empower your loved one through their golden years. To help you, here are some expert tips from FirstLight:
Involve them in decision making. Allow your loved one to voice their preferences and concerns and be involved in decisions that directly impact them, whether that’s regarding their routines, living situation or senior care options. This will give them a sense of purpose and reassure them that you have their best interests in mind.
Let them do what they can. Aging loved ones may be slower than you’re used to but try to be patient and resist the urge to take over. Identify tasks they can do more easily, like sorting paperwork, preparing food, folding laundry or even light cleaning or gardening. This will help boost their self-esteem and confidence and reduce the feeling of being a burden. Keeping their mind active also promotes wellbeing and can slow cognitive degeneration, so encourage this as much as possible!
Modify the home for safety and independence. Having a safe environment in which they can easily move around means your loved one can enjoy more independence and will be able to stay home for longer. Things like grab rails, ramps, walking aids and voice activated devices are simple and effective changes to give you both peace of mind.
Encourage social activities. We all know the value of real-life connections, and there’s nothing like catching up with an old friend – though we’re never too old to make new ones, either! Whether your loved one enjoys dance classes, golf, board games, knitting, walking or just a coffee and chat, enable them to stay social by fitting catch ups into their routine and offering a lift if necessary.
Promote physical health. Encourage your loved one to do some physical activity each day. Depending on their fitness levels, this could be a short walk, gardening, yoga or chair exercises. Even a small amount will offer physical benefits such as improved circulation and flexibility and is known to improve mood and sleep quality. Physical nutrition is also important, so ensure they have access to healthy meals each day.
Respect their identity and experience. Acknowledging the wealth of knowledge and contributions to society of our elderly generation is not only right and decent, but also helps to foster a sense of pride and a life well lived. Ask them about their experiences, let them tell stories and seek their advice. Listen to their concerns without dismissing or patronizing them and, finally, always respect their choices when it comes to how they want to look, what they believe and how they like to be addressed, as this helps them to maintain their sense of identity and individuality.
Aging in Place Solutions for Your Loved One
When considering at home care for aging parents, first examine what their needs are and how much care they need. Will you be able to take it on yourself, or share it with other family members? Or, if it’s beyond your skill level or simply too time consuming, is it worth considering professional care to help share the load?
An in-home caregiver like FirstLight can help you build a care plan that takes your loved one’s individual needs and preferences into account. We can take on the tasks that you can’t, from helping around the house to preparing meals and even personal care routines like bathing and dressing. We can also adapt and adjust the plan as needs change and be a support to you when you need it.
Aging Gracefully With FirstLight Professional Home Care
Promoting aging with dignity allows your loved one to maintain their sense of self-worth, respecting their choices and empowering them in their own life. Implementing a new care plan can be challenging, but with help from a FirstLight professional caregiver, it can also be a rewarding and life-affirming time.
To find out how one of FirstLight Home Care’s in-home caregivers can help your loved one live their most fulfilling life, contact our team and ask about our tailored care plans today!