Throughout the course of life’s stages, our yearning for independence is fulfilled in a variety of ways. There are significant events, such as moving out of our parents’ home or getting married, and less significant occasions, like accomplishing a difficult task on our own. Later, as we age, preserving independence becomes the focus – the capacity to stay in our own home safely and securely. This wish to age in place at home is frequently the greatest desire for older adults, regardless of their state of health or ability to function independently, even in the midst of injury, sickness, or chronic health conditions.
For adult children, providing care for senior parents at home is often challenging, with physical, mental, and social considerations. Adult children may discover the need to increase their time spent in the role of caregiver for an older parent, as they become much more involved in the everyday tasks this vital role demands, all while trying to balance their loved one’s independence.
It’s easy to get swept up in the role of caregiver when the circumstance arises—our parents have done a great deal for us, and when they have the need for help, it’s instinctive to want to do whatever we can to support them. However, it’s crucial to bear in mind that, for the great majority of seniors, maintaining independence is a crucial element in their wish to age at home. Although our efforts may undoubtedly be well intended, it can be easy to move from providing care for aging parents to overpowering and taking care of everything for them. And often, this form of hands-on caregiving can have a negative effect on the autonomy and overall day-to-day freedom seniors need and deserve.
The Austin senior care team at CareFor suggests keeping the following in mind about senior independence:
- Independence affords the ability for older adults to continue making contributions to the community and world around them and to feel good about the impact they are having.
- Self-reliance offers seniors a feeling of fulfillment and self-worth, both of which are vital during the later years.
- Having the ability to accomplish tasks independently promotes future and ongoing self-reliance.
- Senior independence helps reduce the risk of feelings of discouragement and uselessness, even in the middle of illness, injury, and the general difficulties of growing older.
Try to imagine yourself in a senior loved one’s place. How would you feel if somebody took over responsibilities that you knew you could do yourself? Allowing a senior you love to continue to do things on their own gives a sense of purpose and can foster feelings of self-confidence. By bringing in the assistance of experts who specialize in home care services for seniors, you can help increase your loved one’s feelings of empowerment and ability to function effectively at home. CareFor, a leading Austin senior care provider, is here to assist when the need arises – working together with you and your loved one, and never taking over tasks the senior can accomplish on their own.
Our skilled caregivers offer a wide range of home care services for seniors throughout Austin and the surrounding areas, allowing a senior you love to focus on what they can do and providing support with tasks that are stressful. Our home care services include light housekeeping services and meal preparation, assistance with personal care needs, transportation, and more. Contact us online or by phone at (512) 338-4533 today to learn more.