What Does it Mean for Your Senior to Live Independently?
If your elderly family member has told you that she wants to continue to live independently, that might be scary for you to hear. That’s especially frightening when you’re sure that she needs more help than she currently has. It’s important to understand what true independent living means to your senior and how you can support her with that goal.
She’s Able to Live Where She Wants
Home Care Annandale, VA: Living Independently
One of the biggest reasons your elderly family member may want to live independently is her desire to continue to age in place. Aging in place means that she’s able to stay in her own home where she is most comfortable. Moving can be incredibly traumatic, and that’s even more true if your elderly family member has lived in one place for many years or even decades. There’s a reason that moving is listed as one of the biggest life stressors for humans.
She’s Able to Go about Her Routines
Living independently means that your senior stays in her home, but it can also mean that she’s able to stick with the routines that she may have had for a long time. Perhaps she does specific shopping on certain days or has other routines that she doesn’t want to adjust. Knowing that she can continue to have the routines and the habits that she wants to have is something that can be incredibly beneficial for her emotionally.
She Doesn’t Have to Make Changes Unless They’re Necessary
Change isn’t easy, and as your elderly family member ages, there are lots of changes that she doesn’t have a lot of choice about. Finding ways for her to live independently means that you’re supporting her in her desire to only make changes when she absolutely wants or needs to do so. That’s powerful for your senior and can help her to maintain a positive attitude and overall outlook on life.
She Has Help When She Needs It
Something else that you can do to help your senior to live as independently as possible is to make sure that she has help when she needs it the most. Home care providers are there to support your senior’s independence without taking anything away from her. Elderly care works to offer just the assistance that your senior truly needs. When her needs change, home care can adjust as well to meet those new challenges with your senior. Having that help available can make all the difference between your senior being able to continue to age in place or having to make other choices about her living situation.
It’s never easy to see your elderly family member in a position where she may be making choices you feel could be the wrong ones. What’s important is to see if there are ways that you can help to make her choices, ones that are supported, ensuring that she’s able to have the quality of life that you want for her. In some cases, that might mean that both of you are making some compromises that help her to stay as safe and as happy as possible.