Old age needn’t mean ‘out of action’ – warning signs that your older loved one needs more independence
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As our loved ones grow older, they inevitably require more help from family members and close friends. This help may begin with small things, like popping in once a week to clean, or picking up shopping. As the ageing process continues, however, you may also need to help with things like personal care tasks.
At this stage, it can be difficult to maintain the care your loved one needs without encroaching on their independence. But old age needn’t mean ‘out of action’, and you can take steps to prevent this from happening.
Luckily, there are some early warning signs that your loved one needs more independence to stay happy, and we’re going to consider them here.
Frustration at Your Choices
You may have slipped into the habit of making small choices for your loved one, such as what to cook for dinner, or even what they’re wearing each day. Unfortunately, if your loved one is growing frustrated with the choices you’re making, then it might be time to find a different approach. Something as simple as asking them what they would like on a weekly menu, or which item of clothing they want, is often a better option. Even if your loved one is experiencing something like dementia, you can encourage them to make these small choices for themselves, perhaps with the help of a few different options to keep things simple.
Delays in Their Day
As much as you love this person, you also have your own life to take care of, and you can’t physically be around all the time. If your loved one finds they’re often having to wait around for your visits to complete simple tasks, then it may be a sign that they need a little more independence. There are some things that person might not be able to do, but things like online shopping, or even getting their prescriptions from an online pharmacy like Medino Pharmacy can all help them to get on with things whether they’re there or not. Equally, you could do something as simple as chopping and prepping dinner ingredients so they’re able to get on with cooking, or preparing their daily outfits so they can more easily get dressed before you arrive.
A Lack of Social Outings
Socialisation is key to maintaining health and vitality. If your loved one expresses distress about their inability to see other friends and family members, it’s a sure sign they’re losing some independence. Taking them on outings where you can will surely help here, but it can also be useful to ask if they’d be interested in any local clubs or societies. These are fantastic for ongoing independence and often include transportation options such as weekly coaches, which could see your loved one going off even if you’re working or otherwise engaged that day.
Independence can make a huge difference in how happy your loved one feels in their later life. Make sure you’re not compromising it in any way by avoiding these top three warning signs.
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