When you have elderly relatives, such as parents, who are getting older and need some extra support, it can be tough to find the right balance between helping them to stay fit and healthy, and also allowing them to be independent. We’re going to talk about some of the tips you can make the most of in order to keep them healthy and as independent as they can be as well. So read on and find out more.
Adapt Their Surroundings
First of all, you should think about how you might be able to adapt their surroundings in a way that will not only help them to take care of their health but also maintain a greater degree of independence. That could be as simple as adding some hand rails to the home or something like that. It will depend on what their particular needs are.
Encourage Social and Physical Activity
It’s important to encourage them to be both socially and physically active if possible. It’s good for people who are elderly to be able to engage with other people and have that social stimulation. It’s good for the brain and for mental health. And we all know how important it is to remain physically active. These are things that should not be overlooked.
Ensure They’re Having Regular Sight and Hearing Tests
Keeping them on top of their regular checkups is something that’ll certainly be very important. If they’re skipping their sight or hearing tests, their senses will decline without intervention, and that can make staying healthy and independent even more challenging moving forward. We know that hearing health affects longevity, so it’s important not to ignore it.
Try to Put Yourself in Their Shoes
It’s important to consider their thoughts and feelings whenever you’re making any kind of intervention. You really need to try and put yourself in their shoes so you can understand what they’re thinking and experiencing. It’s rarely a good idea to make decisions on their behalf and to not think about their independence and integrity because you can be sure that those things will be very important to them. Put yourself in your place and imagine what you would want.
Listen to Them and Their Needs
Listening to them and the specific needs that they have is something that matters a lot. You want to be sure that they’re being listened to and that their wishes are being respected at every turn. Failing to do that will make it impossible for them to feel in any way independent. So be aware of what they want and try your best to balance it with what they need and what’s best for their health.
As you can see, there are lots of things you can do to keep your elderly relatives healthy and supported, while also giving them the level of independence that they crave. It’s a tough balance, but it’s possible to get it right. Just be sure to make the most of the ideas we’ve discussed here today.
