Independence As They Age: How To Help Your Elderly Family Members

Losing independence is no fun. Therefore it’s not surprising that so many people list independence as one of the most important things to them as they age. The good news is that it is possible to help those you most love to stay as independent and autonomous as possible as they get older. Read on to find some suggestions on how.

Talk To Them

First of all, if you want to help an elderly family member preserve their independence, you need to talk to them before you make any changes. Indeed, the whole idea of autonomy and independence rests on your relative being an active part of the decision-making processes wherever and whenever possible. 

This is because, as we age, it can often seem as if everyone else is making our decisions for us, leaving us feeling lost, out of control and trapped. Therefore, if you want to avoid triggering these feelings in your elderly relative, speaking to them about what they value, what they need, and what they feel comfortable with is critically important. 

Make Some Adaptations In Their Home

One of the most effective things you can do to help your elderly relatives retain as much autonomy and independence is to make adaptations to their home. Usually, these will help them stay in their own homes in which they have many memories, and are familiar, which can help make a significant and positive impact on their lives and feelings of independence. Homecare when someone comes in to help them with tasks can also be a useful adaption that allows people to stay in their own home. 

Let There Be (More) Light

A simple change you can make in this regard is to spend some time improving the lighting in their home. This will help those with visual and physical impairments because it will allow them to be able to see and navigate clearly and safely around their own space. 

There are plenty of easy ways you can do this including replacing bulbs with ones that have a higher wattage and using highlights to make trips to the toilet easier in the night. You can even use strip lighting to illuminate particularly tricky areas, and task lighting to illuminate specific areas when specific jobs are completed such as a desk lamp for reading and writing and under cabinet lighting for boiling the kettle and making tea or coffee. 

Provide Assistive Technology

Worried about your older relative being all alone with no one to come to their aid if something happens? That’s where installing assistive technology can be very helpful. Assistive tech is designed to alert a third party if your older relative is in distress and it can be used for a wide range of issues such as medical situations, falls, and anxiety. While at the same time allowing your relative to stay in their home successfully.

Install Physical Supports

Getting older often comes with reduced physical capacities which can be problematic if your relative wishes to stay independent and live in their own home. Especially when it comes to navigating steep stairs, or getting in and out of the bath. The good news is that by installing physical supports such as handrails upstairs or grab bars over the bath, you can allow them to continue doing the basic things that facilitate an independent life. 

Nurture Their Physical Health

Another thing you can do to help your elderly relative stay independent for as long as possible is to help nurture their physical health. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to help them stay as well and spritely as possible. 

Get Them Moving Safely

The first of these is to make sure they get plenty of opportunities to move safely as they age. Indeed, older people need to move their bodies regularly to help their circulation, balance, bone density and function strength. All of which when in decline can negatively impact their independence. 

Types of physical activity that are usually suitable for older people (although making sure they check with their doctor first is a must) include walking, swimming (as the body is fully supported in the water), gentle dancing and Tai Chi. Although there are many more to choose from as well. 

Make Sure They Are Getting Balanced And Delicious Meals

Appetite changes are common in older people, but their bodies still require plenty of good-quality fuel to keep them healthy and active. Additionally, some older people can struggle to cook for themselves because of mobility issues and others because they lack motivation. To help alleviate these problems there are a range of solutions to consider. 

The first is that you can help them batch-cook meals ( or make them in your own home and fill up their freezer). Then all they will need to do is get one out and warm it up. Another option is to invest in a food prep service that does this for you.

Help Them Stay Social

Isolation can be one of the most challenging parts of being older, especially as distance and physical issues get in the way of being able to visit people in real life. However, if you want to help your relatives be independent you must do all you can to help them retain an active and fulfilling social life. 

Get Them Online

One option is to help them get connected to the internet so they can make video calls with people they can’t get to see in person. Being online also allows older people to join a wealth of peer communities which are excellent for staying social and providing online activities like lectures and classes.

One option is to help them get connected to the internet so they can make video calls with people they can’t get to see in person. Being online also allows older people to join a wealth of peer communities which are excellent for staying social and providing online activities like lectures and classes.

Help Them Get Out And About

In addition to helping them get social online, it’s important to encourage them to get face-to-face social interaction in real life too. Unfortunately, this can be challenging if they have physical issues and rely on mobility aids such as wheelchairs which make travelling in regular vehicles and on public transport much more difficult. 

Happily, there is a solution to this issue and it is to make use of a wheelchair transport service in your area. Such services provide vehicles with low floor designs and entry ramps, as well as a patient-centered approach with friendly drivers that will ensure your relatives can reach their destination in comfort and with ease. 

Support Their Mental Health

Last of all, when helping your elderly relative stay independent you will also need to make sure you support them with their mental health. However, the precise support you provide will depend on the individual specific needs. For example, some older people may need support with their emotional health and mood, where things like counselling, peer support or group therapy can be helpful. 

Others may need support with their cognitive health. This mat includes medications, regular assessments and interventions such as adding written reminders and timers around the home. 

Encourage Routines And Activities

Routines can also be very helpful for older individuals when it comes to mental health for several reasons. The first is that routines help break up the day, and ensure it doesn’t get too boring. Secondly, routines can help alleviate anxiety because the individual knows something about what to expect from the coming days and weeks. Lastly when combined with regular valued activities routines can provide elderly people with something to look forward to and work towards each week. 

Make Sure They Think About Their Values

Living a life that we value, first means that we need to consider what we value and what that looks like in our day-to-day lives through setting goals and routines. Unfortunately, many people forget to encourage this process in older adults and this can be a major mistake. The things we aim for as we age may indeed change but it’s important for every single one of us to set-valued directions in which to move, even towards the end of our lives, as it provides motivation and satisfaction. That is why if you want to help your older relatives stay independent, helping them set their values and goals can be very helpful.