How to keep seniors feeling independent while introducing in home support/care

Elderly parents who are disabled or ill are often physically limited. In many cases their illness or old-age make it challenging to complete day-to-day tasks. Regular household chores like cleaning, cooking, and driving, become impossible. 

It can be incredibly challenging to operate independently in the world when held back by limited functionality. 

The physical limitation is further complicated by a patient’s internal sense of independence. Sometimes, just in trying to help or assist our elderly parents, we inadvertently take away their sense of responsibility.

However challenging though, older and disabled adults simply do not have the capacity to operate independently. Many times, they need in-home care or in-home nursing services. The tricky part is providing them with the support they need without squashing their sense of independence.  

Ensuring your Parents Feel Independent

If you want to commit to providing a sense independence to your elderly parents, even as you deem it necessary to remove certain freedoms or responsibilities, here are a few good questions to ask yourself:

• Can my senior parent live alone?
• Should my senior parent drive?
• What does my senior parent need regular help with?
• Is my senior parent capable of taking care of themself on a daily basis?
• Can my senior parent keep up with their own medical needs?

The answers to these questions can be hard to accept. However, once we recognize the realities of our parent’s circumstances, it becomes obvious that providing tools of support is our best option.

As companion care and senior care industry experts for over 20 years, we’ve seen a lot of cases. Here are a few of our suggestions to keep your parent feeling independent even while they receive support:

In-Home Companion Care

This is a nice option to provide support and companionship for your loved one in their own home. 

Whether just once a week or a few hours a day, we’ve found that elderly and disabled individuals do not feel overwhelmed or invaded by in-home companion care. As a matter of fact, many individuals who struggle with daily activities like driving or cooking, feel that they can easily maintain their independence when there is occasional external support through companion care. 

In-home companion care means your loved one has frequent support in regular activities, self-care, and other errands or home tasks. Our caregivers can help with light cooking and cleaning, basic housekeeping and maintenance, plant care, bill pay or letters and correspondence, and other ‘simple’ tasks that may be challenging for an ill parent.

We’ll also help you explain the need for in-home companion care in a way that feels non-invasive to your loved one. Clarifying that the support is just that- support, is a big part of the process. It’s important to express that companion care is about help, not taking over or infringing on personal freedoms. 

In-Home Nursing Services  

Some patients require more attention and support than just a hand around the house. Certain illnesses or disabilities require medical care providers, like in-home nurses. Our nurses are prepared to offer varying degrees of support to meet your elderly parents needs. 

Some medical care tasks our nurses can provide include:

• Administration of medication
• Medical record keeping
• Wound care
• Evaluation

Our nurses can also provide disease specific care. SNS nurses support individuals experiencing the following illnesses: 

• Alzheimers and Dementia Care
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Heart diseases or congenial failures
• Injury based 
• Speech therapy 
• Occupational therapy 
• Post-hospital care

Independence for Your Elderly Parents without the Stigma

It is our belief that with the support of in-home companion care or in-home nursing services your parent can experience a sense of supportive independence. We suggest clear communication surrounding care decisions, with the opportunity to discuss what feels good for them. Explain that some assistance could be useful for their day-to-day life. We also think it’s important to highlight the idea of a third party agency like Specialized Nursing Services offering support. You are not suddenly imposing that you yourself will enter their space or try to perform potentially embarrassing medical procedures for them. Rather, you want to facilitate professional support or simple companionship where applicable and appropriate.

SNS is equipped to provide various forms of in-home care or support to your elderly parents. We’ll help you through the process of identifying what in-home care is needed, and explaining it gently to your parents. Although no one truly likes to give up their sense of independence, we know that the support you provide to your disabled loved one is important, and priceless. 

Let SNS help you care for your loved one and maintain their sense of independence. Call us today to start in-home care for your parents.