Celebrating Independence in Older Adults

We all like to be independent. It’s instinctive! As soon as they are able, toddlers will say “I can do it myself” when an adult attempts to help them get dressed or brush their hair. And that desire to be independent is not something that we age out of. Older adults want to be independent as well. They’ve lived a full life doing what they desired and making their own decisions. Studies show that feeling in control of our lives improves our mental health. When we don’t feel that we are in control of our own lives, we may begin to give up on some of the self-care and routines that keep us healthy and safe. That can lead to a downward spiral of increasingly poor outcomes.

Maintaining as much independence as possible is at the core of Paul Blom’s philosophy of caregiving. Paul has owned and managed Right at Home Twin Cities for the last 21 years. “We provide the least restrictive environment or care plan to really enable the client’s sense of self and decision-making ability,” Paul says. “We don’t just come in and take over.”

Paul’s team works with family members and clients to negotiate an appropriate level of care that’s not intimidating for someone hesitant to accept help. For example, if a person struggles to navigate stairs, the caregiver could bring the clean laundry upstairs. Or if the person is unable to stand for long periods, a caregiver could prep food to minimize the time it takes to prepare a meal.

“Even well-intentioned family members may not understand what kind of care their loved one needs,” Paul said.

The good news is that recent studies show that adults aged 65 and older are doing better than ever! Disability rates are down, fewer older adults need help with the activities of daily living, and seniors’ perception of their own abilities is increasing. That’s good news for the rapidly growing percentage of Americans aged 65 and older.

While it is great that older adults are living longer, healthier lives, we may ask ourselves what we can do to support our loved ones who want to live independently as long as possible. Here are some ways you can promote independence for an older adult in your life.

Encourage social connection: Loneliness is bad for our health. Encourage the older adult in your life to stay socially active by calling friends or participating in activities at a local community center. Volunteering with a cause they are passionate about gives older adults the double benefit of social connection and a sense of purpose.

“When we are providing transportation, we stress that we are helping them be more independent,” Paul says. “That way they can be active in their community without feeling like they are a burden to family or friends.”

Promote the use of technology: Technology can help older adults make important social connections via social media sites or other internet-based communities. We can assist the seniors in our lives by teaching them how to sign up and use these websites, as well as helping them to select appropriate devices with accessible large buttons easily readable displays. Ask their doctor to provide them with the availability of telehealth exams. We can also explore accessibility technology such as wearable fall alert devices, smart home technology, and internet-enabled home health monitoring devices. These tools can empower older adults to continue living independently and give their loved ones peace of mind.

Ensure they have choices: Older adults should be empowered to have a say in the decisions affecting their life. Whether it is healthcare decisions or clothing decisions, seniors deserve the same autonomy and respect as any other adult.

Promote safety: Safety begins at home. The desire to be independent remains even as our bodies and abilities change as we get older. But sometimes the process of aging can mean that we need assistance with some activities or modifications to make our environment easier to navigate. Loose rugs or carpeting can increase the risk of a fall. Folks with arthritis may benefit from replacing hard-to-turn round doorknobs with more accessible levers. We can look around our older loved ones’ homes for hazards and ways that we can help make daily activities easier for them. If you think you need help, there are many professionals who can assess a home and recommend modifications and tools that will make the home safer and more accessible for older adults.

You can download our free Fall Prevention Guide for more helpful tips.