Many elderly people feel powerless due to their age, social situation, or medical conditions. Having someone who makes them feel empowered can make a significant difference. Not everyone understands how to do this, especially if they don’t interact with adults frequently. In this blog, we share some ideas to help empower your elderly loved ones and ensure they live life on their own terms.
1. Prepare an elder-friendly home as they age
Not every elderly person can spend their old age in their homes for those who can, it can help them feel very empowered to stay in their own home. Most homes are not designed for the elderly, however, so one major thing you can do is help them update their house to make it safer. Do a home safety audit to identify potential hazards and take steps to mitigate them. This can include putting in a chair lift, installing shower chairs and grab bars, and renovating bathrooms to make them safer for the elderly.
2. Encourage self-dressing
When you think about it, getting dressed is a very demanding work that requires a lot of mobility and strength, both of which tend to be scarce in older folks. For instance, magnetic buttons, zippers, and other closures are often difficult to work with arthritic hands. Therefore, try to redesign the wardrobe with adaptive clothing keeping their limitations in mind. This makes it possible for some older adults to continue dressing themselves.
3. Make daily activities easy for them
As people age, simple daily tasks like bathing or eating can become difficult, which can affect their sense of empowerment. It’s important to talk to the seniors in your life to understand what tasks are most difficult for them and find ways to help them manage them on their own. Simpler strategies such as reflective tape, grab bars, and other devices can make home life safer and easier for those with mobility issues.
Instead of quitting an activity that is too difficult, look for change. If they can’t play bowl games anymore, maybe they can enjoy the social side of bowl clubs. If they can’t drive, consider carpooling or taking the bus. If they need a little assistance with daily tasks or housekeeping, regular in-home care can make a big difference, allowing them to stay in their home longer and feel more in control of their lives.
4. Encourage socialization
Loneliness is a common issue, especially for seniors who are retired and have lost mobility or support networks when their peers die. Encouraging them to stay actively social with friends and peers can help prevent this. It is also important to encourage family members, especially grandchildren, to visit and stay in touch. Active companionship provides the emotional support that older loved ones need to thrive.
5. Help them stay mentally and physically active
No matter how old you are, staying mentally and physically active is key to keeping your mind sharp and your body strong. If your loved one doesn’t already have an exercise routine, encourage them to start one full of workouts that they enjoy. They should also engage in mental exercises such as puzzles and games to help keep their brains in good shape alongside their bodies. These activities will help slow physical and cognitive decline and keep your loved one feeling good well into their twilight years.
6. Celebrate aging
Unfortunately, our culture does not always welcome or value the contributions of the elderly. Instead of celebrating aging, we mock it and diminish the power of old age. Try to focus on the wisdom and insight of the elderly, not their limitations. Look at the beauty of the slower pace of later years and honor the gifts that come with maturity and experience. This can make the seniors in your life feel more valued.
7. Don’t exclude them
No one wants to feel their life is not within their control, which is no less true for older people. Include them in decision-making, whether it’s something big like making changes to their living situation or something small like choosing social activities. Regardless of where someone is at in their life, they still need and deserve independence of choice, even if it’s just deciding what to wear or eat. Involving them in the decision-making process and assuring them during the caregiving process will help them feel more empowered.
We hope that these strategies will help elders around you to get a sense of empowerment while getting the support and care they need. If you need more guidance, read caregiver books by Patrick Palmer and get a lot of useful insights from a caregiver.
