Living with certain physical and mental health conditions may require receiving help from family members, friends, and outside caregivers. However, this can be extremely hard on older adults who were once independent. Helping your senior loved one preserve his or her dignity makes it easier to adjust to new health changes with a sense of independence and respect.
1. Recognize Them as People
Your loved one was once a strong man or woman who ran a household, raised a family, held an important job, was a community leader, and/or enjoyed hobbies. Just because your loved one retired and the family has moved out doesn’t mean he or she isn’t still a person. Keeping this in mind as you provide care can help you view your loved one with more respect.
Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Tucson, AZ, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver.
2. Ask for Preferences
Your loved one might need help to get dressed and eat, but it doesn’t mean he or she doesn’t have opinions anymore. Make sure you and other caregivers ask for your loved one’s preferences as you help him or her. Choosing what to wear, what foods to eat, what to listen to or watch on TV, or what park to visit provides a sense of control in life.
3. Consider Outside Help
If your loved one needs help with intimate issues such as toileting and bathing, you may want to consider hiring a professional caregiver to assist with such private tasks. While many seniors are pragmatic about personal hygiene concerns and are fine with family members caring for them, some may not be able to accept a child or a grandchild helping. Hiring a trained caregiver may be preferable in this situation.
When searching for reliable elder care agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Home Care Assistance, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, provide transportation to medical appointments and social events, and much more.
4. Be Patient & Kind
You may become frustrated when your loved one spills food, moves slowly when you’re already late for an appointment, or gets angry due to a mental health condition. Take a deep breath and remember your loved one once patiently cared for you and needs help now. Your loved one was patient with you in your younger years when you spilled food, moved slowly, or threw a tantrum. Now it’s your turn to show patience and tenderness with your loved one as he or she once did with you.
5. Find a Support Group or Counselor
Experiencing caregiver burnout—the frustration, fatigue, and sadness many caregivers feel when caring for loved ones for a long time—can lead to treating a senior with less dignity and respect. Take time to care for yourself by joining a support group or talking with a counselor. Getting out your feelings and addressing your joys and concerns with others can make it easier to provide proper care and treat your loved one with the dignity he or she deserves.
Receiving compassionate care helps older adults maintain good physical, mental, and emotional health and allows them to live with dignity. Tucson homecare professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers. Call Home Care Assistance at (520) 276-6555 to set up a free in-home consultation today.