As our loved ones age, the desire for them to maintain their independence and quality of life becomes paramount. Many seniors wish to continue living in their own homes and communities rather than transitioning to assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
The University of Michigan reports that a vast majority of seniors want to keep living in their current homes for as long as possible. As adult children, we can play a vital role in supporting our senior parents’ desire for independence while ensuring their safety and well-being.
Here are a few tips for helping your senior parents live independently:
Open Communication and Respect
The foundation of any successful endeavor begins with communication. You can start by having an open discussion with your parents about their desires and concerns. Listen to what they want and respect their decisions. Make sure you don’t let your preferences overshadow theirs. Involving them in the decision-making process can help you collectively create a plan that aligns with their needs and wishes.
Home Modifications
Making appropriate modifications to their living space can significantly enhance your senior parents’ independence and safety. Assess their home for potential hazards and make necessary changes like installing grab bars in the bathroom, ensuring proper lighting, and eliminating tripping hazards.
Consider adapting their home to accommodate mobility aids like ramps or stair lifts. These modifications not only promote safety but also allow them to move around their living space comfortably.
Regular Health Assessments
Routine health check-ups are essential for seniors to detect and address any health issues early on. Make sure your parents are seeking regular appointments with their primary care physicians. You must also encourage them to stick to their prescribed medications and treatments.
Consider exploring technologies like remote health monitoring devices as well that can provide real-time health updates to both you and their healthcare provider. This allows for proactive intervention if and when needed.
In-Home Care Services
According to Always Best Care Senior Services, in-home care services can range from help with meal preparation to medication management. They can also attend to personal care tasks such as bathing and dressing. This, of course, varies from one service provider to another. Based on the service provider, you can also customize the level of care based on your parents’ needs.
Such care services have become even more necessary in certain parts of America where the service quality of nursing homes is questionable.
Let’s say you live in Louisville, Kentucky, and need senior care for your parents. Courier Journal reports that Kentucky currently has the highest number of vacancies for nursing home inspection staff.
That clearly indicates a shortage of inspectors, which further implies that there’s no guarantee that these nursing homes can provide quality care to seniors. Therefore, your best bet here would be to seek in-home assistance for your parents from a home care company in Louisville, KY.
Social Engagement
According to BMC Public Health, 50 percent of seniors are at risk of social isolation. Isolation and loneliness are common issues among seniors, which can have adverse effects on their physical and mental well-being.
Encourage your senior parents to maintain an active social life. This can involve participating in local community activities, joining clubs, attending senior centers, or engaging in hobbies they enjoy. Technology can also play a role in connecting them with friends and family, especially if in-person interactions are limited. Regular social engagement not only combats loneliness but also promotes cognitive function and emotional well-being.
Financial and Legal Planning
Assisting your senior parents with financial and legal planning is crucial to ensuring their well-being and independence. Work together to organize their financial matters, including budgeting for their expenses and exploring options for long-term care funding.
It’s also essential to establish legal documents such as a will, power of attorney, and advanced healthcare directives. These documents not only provide them with control over their affairs but also offer you guidance should the need for decision-making arise.
Conclusion
Statista reports that the US has around 22,000 senior living units as of 2021. While most of them offer the best possible care and facilities, they often don’t feel like home to many. That’s why a lot of seniors these days prefer living independently, ideally with in-home care services provided.
If you too have senior parents who want to live independently, you can ensure that by following the points mentioned above. As you do so, not only can you give them independence, but you can also ensure their safety and satisfaction.