The Downside of Independence

The vast majority of the time, we want our elderly loved ones to live independent lives. All of the years leading up to this have been lived independently, and it’s only natural that this is what people look forward to as they age.

 

With Independence Day still fresh in our minds, it’s important that we take a step back and look at this concept and how it applies to the lives of older people in our lives. Independence is a hot topic, and it’s something that people feel is something that they deserve at all costs. However, in the lives of the very young or elderly individuals, independence is not a good thing. It can lead to neglect and dangerous conditions. As the primary care provider in our families, it’s important that we are able to look at independence and realize that it’s only good when it helps the people that we love live better lives. When it doesn’t, some sort of additional care or supervision becomes necessary.

 

Health and safety need to be considered as the highest priority for your family. These are the most basic needs that people have, and they act as a good starting point for determining which type of senior care is best for your loved one. It’s only after these things are completely accounted for that independence becomes a priority. Unfortunately, many seniors do not realize that this is important, or they are in denial of it. Pride seems to be a common reason why this occurs, but it does vary from person to person. The bottom line is that no one wants to need help, especially not after they have spent so much of their life being able to care for themselves and others.

 

Independence is usually a good thing, but for the elderly it can be dangerous.

 

Whether we want it to be true or not, there is a time when people begin to need assistance. This loss of independence isn’t easy to admit or to talk about, but that doesn’t make it any less real. When a loved one begins to struggle with their daily tasks, it’s important that you speak to them about strategies to help them live happier, safer lives. This shouldn’t be viewed as a way to decrease their independence, but rather as a way to help them enjoy their lives more. When getting up out of a chair to go use the bathroom becomes a chore, having someone to assist with transfers can be a welcome relief. When cooking for yourself becomes almost impossible, having someone to prepare a meal for you becomes a blessing. This point of view helps seniors to view senior care and in-home in particular as a way to enhance their lives, rather than detract from them.

 

It doesn’t make having this conversation any easier, but it could be the difference between a loved one getting hurt or sick, or living a much happier life. That’s the goal of senior care, after all. It’s not a way to restrict your family, but rather to help them flourish. Feel free to call us today to talk more about planning for the senior care of a loved one if this is a topic that you’d like to learn more about.

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