This is a mini-series on easy, simple and cost-effective ways that support your loved one’s desire to remain in their own home.
It’s generally understood that your elderly family member wishes to remain in their own home as they age. Typically, they’ve lived there for years or even decades, they’ve raised you and perhaps have even seen their grandchildren take their first steps there as well.
It’s their personal space; decorated to reflect their unique personality, and filled with the mementos and treasured memories of their lives. It’s understandable that they would be resistant to give that up!
Something else to consider is the fact that your loved one has lived in their home as fully capable and independent adults all those years. A large, often subconscious, part of their resistance is the idea that should they need to move elsewhere, it could represent a sense of loss over their control to live independently. Even if such a move were to privately purchase a smaller space which they could better manage, it could feel like a transition from living a fully autonomous and independent life to one where they need more support.
This is a huge and emotionally loaded issue for many of you who witness your loved ones beginning to struggle with the day-to-day activities of tending their household, and have also had to take on some of these duties yourself out of concern for their safety.
So what are some things you can do to help keep them living safely in their own home, while giving you peace of mind that they are experiencing quality care and support?
Here are some simple, effective strategies to support your elderly loved one’s healthy aging in their own home
The basics are always the critical issues to look at first. These strategies include:
Nutrition
Movement and Exercise
Sleep
Medications
Underlying Health Conditions
Community and Social Connection
Each of these areas overlap and profoundly impact each other, but for a simplified overview, will be addressed individually in later posts. You will see the term “inter-dependently” a few times. This is to acknowledge that either one or any combination of these areas may need further support from other services not necessarily related directly to the area being discussed.
First, it takes teamwork, whether your elder family member is able and willing to collaborate with you, or if not, with coordinated efforts of family, friends and the specific professional care services they may need.
On my next article in this series, I will share information about Nutrition. Stay tuned!
From energy, sleep quality, range of movement and balance to perform daily activities, to having a strengthened immune system, nutrition is one of the critical foundational pieces that will affect a loved one’s ability to effectively and safely manage their household tasks.
© Nancy Glover | Aging With Grace www.AgingwithGrace.ca
Do you need help with taking care of your elderly?
Contact Nancy to inquire about a Caregiver Action Plan assessment where all aspects of care are reviewed in order to help families create a more dynamic and positive experience for the care of their loved ones.
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Nancy Glover, a healthy aging advocate, mentors extraordinary women and men who have stepped into the challenging role of caring for their elderly spouse or parent by managing their well-being in the later stages of life. Blending first-hand expertise with practical step by step systems to support the needs, goals, and desires of the elderly spouse or parent, Nancy helps caregivers maneuver the complex and often challenging role with supportive advocacy and resources that equally focus on everyone’s well-being. Learn more about her at www.agingwithgrace.ca and sign up to receive timely information and strategies to empower caregivers and families in transition.
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