Aging can sometimes cause independent living to become difficult. But, maintaining some form of independence is important for both the mental and physical well being of elderly adults. Some people may feel like less of a person or that they aren’t themselves without their own autonomy. They may also feel like they are a burden on others or that they aren’t able to contribute to their family if they aren’t able to live independently. These factors can cause them to become angry or depressed.
Finding ways to maintain independence into the later years can give a sense of accomplishment, help to feel productive, and give a strong sense of self worth and purpose. It can also lead to better mental and physical health as well as maintaining physical fitness. Most of all, maintaining independence can help older adults continue to feel that they have control of their own life.
We at Superior Senior Care, are dedicated to helping our clients continue to live as independently as they safely can. As a provider of in-home caregivers who help older adults stay at home we want to share some tips to help seniors maintain their independence.
Put Safety First
Falls are one of the most common accidents that happen to older adults. To help an elderly adult to maintain their independence, insure that fall prevention measures are taken around the home by adding handrails in stairways and hallways and grab bars in bathrooms. Other measures that can be taken are repairing uneven flooring, securing loose rugs, and ensuring that there’s proper lighting in frequently used walkways. It may also be a good idea to consider getting a personal emergency response system that can be used to call for help if a fall or other accident does happen.
Encourage Socializing
To help seniors maintain their independence, it’s important that they continue to attend their regular activities. Activities like going to church, visiting with relatives and friends, and staying involved in groups. Maintaining this community and social Involvement can help to combat loneliness and solitude. Look to local senior centers, community centers, libraries, local theaters, exercise classes, clubs and community events for senior-friendly activities to help them find new ways to stay social.
Exercise
Staying active and exercising is great for both physical and mental health. Exercise can help seniors to stay physically fit. Which will in turn help them to complete normal daily activities and maintain balance to help prevent falls. Being able to do normal daily activities on their own is a critical part of maintaining independence into old age. Some fun exercise activities for seniors can be gardening, going for a walk in a beautiful park, doing chair exercises at home, or participating in a local yoga or fitness class.
Brain Activities
Having a sharp mind is big factor in how long a person can maintain their independence as they age. Brain games, puzzles, cards, board games, sudoku, and crosswords are great ways to have fun and keep the brain active and sharp.
Stay Involved in Daily Activities
Planning meals, folding laundry and participating in shopping are easy low risk ways of staying involved in the day to day activities. Doing these kind of activities can help seniors to feel like they still have control over their lives. They can also help with cooking and cleaning when possible. Even if it’s just stirring ingredients together or wiping off the dining table. From their diet and health matters to what they watch or listen to, letting them continue to have a voice in their lives will help seniors maintain their independence.
In-Home Care
In-home care services offer personalized care that is tailored to each senior’s needs. This is the perfect option for a senior living alone who wants to maintain their independence. Caregivers provide care in the home so seniors can age in place with dignity in their own home. They provide help with anything from medication and nutrition to bathing and grooming. Having a caregiver come to visit a couple of times a week can also help with safety check ups and can ward off loneliness.
Are you looking for In-Home Care for the Elderly to Support Seniors, Caregivers and Families in Arkansas?
Superior Senior Care is Arkansas’s oldest, most trusted name in in-home care services. We prioritize your peace of mind. We offer referrals for a variety of levels of elderly care and services, with both short and long-term options. All the senior caregivers on our registry undergo thorough screenings and comprehensive background checks. And they are trained to work with clients in everything from household duties to grocery shopping. We’ve helped families with a variety of chronic conditions including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, lung disease and more.
For more information on our home health services offering, please contact us today at (888) 503-5879 or visit our website at https://www.superiorseniorcare.com/our-services/
As the first accredited registry in Arkansas, we have more than 35 years of experience and thousands of happy customers. Access to our large client registry means stability for you and the best chance to match you with just the right family. Interested in becoming a caregiver on our registry? Fill out and electronically submit our pre-screening referral application here: https://www.superiorseniorcare.com/caregiving-opportunities/