How to Promote Independence for your Older Relative
Collaborative Post
Do you want to encourage your elderly relatives to have a bit more independence? If so then you have come to the right place. This guide will show you what steps you can take to try and give your relatives the support they need to live a healthy life at home while empowering them to feel more confident in their abilities.
Choosing routines
One of the things you need to do is encourage them to choose their own routine. Being in control of their routine is such an important part of staying independent. If you hire a carer then you can still let your loved one do all of the things they love to do but with the right support. If they want to get up at a certain time, they can do this with ease, and if they want to make a cup of tea, they’ll have someone who can help. Although hiring a carer who can pop in for them might seem like a very small thing to do, it can come with huge benefits, and it is the best way for your loved one to feel more in control.
Hobbies
If your loved one has enjoyed a hobby in the past then now is the time for you to try and support them in that. If they love to cook then make sure that they have everything they need to do that. If they like to bake, buy them a baking book and make sure that they can jot down their recipes so they can keep them for a very long time to come. If they love to host it it may also be worth helping them to do this, by investing in a modern oak dining table that extends. The best thing about furniture like this is that it can be adjusted to suit different situations, so your elderly loved one can still do all of the things they love to do, even if they are living in a smaller property now.
Plan Days Out
Planning days out is also so important. Taking a break now and again is essential for everyone. Taking a break allows you to experience different things and it also gives you the chance to see different surroundings too. Planning to take a trip, or having a day out is great. If you plan to hire a carer for them then you can have them accompany them when out and about, so they can make the most out of their experience while doing all of the things they want to do. Sometimes, being able to go where they want, when they want can help them to keep their independence, and it also allows them to explore new and different things.
So as you can see, it’s very easy for you to promote independence with your loved ones and if you follow this guide, you should be able to make them feel as though they are still very much in control of things.