8 Ways to Empower the Elderly in Home Care
Most people would like to imagine themselves living an independent and relatively worry-free life as they age. As you can imagine, this is largely dependent on how you organized your life, how well you earned before retiring, your general health, and a variety of other factors. Nevertheless, you can but hope that you don’t end up in a nursery home or relying on support from your spouse, relatives, or your community.
If you or your aging relative live in Beverly Hills, you can put your faith in reputable in home caregivers to step into your shoes and help you out in times of need. Regardless of how you accommodate your elderly, the question remains: how can you help them overcome their feelings of weakness and frailty? Read on to learn how to help the elderly feel empowered.
What does empowerment mean for the elderly?
Living life as an elderly person can be difficult. You may feel frail and weak like you can’t do the things you used to. It can be difficult for the elderly to feel self-sufficient when they often find themselves in a position of dependence.
Relying on others can greatly help if they are worried about their safety. However, to a certain degree, they can feel as if they’re robbed of their dignity. What is a true example of empowering someone in need of help?Â
What is an example of empowerment?
Empowerment can be defined as the ability to do something for oneself. It is taking control and making decisions without depending on others. At a younger age, the example of empowerment is: getting a job, being able to drive, or learning to cook. For certain disenfranchised group, empowerment has even more meanings. For the elderly, it may be as simple as:
- Making choices about their daily routine
- Being consulted before changes are made to their care plan
- Being given the opportunity to do things for themselves whenever possible
- Having a voice in decisions that affect them
How does empowerment relate to elderly resilience?
While empowerment is more about taking control and making decisions, resilience is the ability to adapt to change and bounce back from difficult situations. Empowering the elderly can help them to feel resilient in the face of difficulties. When they feel like they have a say in what happens to them, they are more likely to be able to cope with changes.
What is empowerment and disempowerment in aged care?
Senior care assistance can be carried out in different contexts and can come at a certain cost for one’s feeling of independence, competence, and free will. In some cases, it may be necessary for safety reasons. However, it is important to consider how this will affect the elderly person’s sense of self.
Aged care that is empowering will seek to promote the independence of the elderly person as much as possible. On the other hand, disempowering aged care takes away choices and decision-making from the elderly person. It can make them feel like they are a burden, and that their opinions don’t matter.
How can empowerment be facilitated when providing support?
There are many ways you can help your elderly client, parent, or relative feel empowered when you support them. Here are eight ways you can achieve this goal:
- Tackle ageism together
Reframing old age is key to entering the process of empowerment. You can do this by challenging the negative attitudes and stereotypes that exist about old age. Instead of viewing it as something negative, you can embrace it as a natural process that can be experienced in a productive and welcoming manner.
- Acknowledge their expertise
The elderly are often not given enough credit for their years of experience. Acknowledge what they know and ask for their advice. This will help them feel valued and respected.
- Use empowering language
The way you talk to and about the elderly person can either empower or disempower them. Make an effort to use language that is positive and respectful. This way, you’ll earn their trust and respect, and remind them of their self-worth.
- Promote inclusion
Social isolation is a big problem for the elderly. You can help them feel included by promoting social activities and opportunities for connection.
- Help them stay connected
Technology can be a great way for the elderly to stay connected with the world. Help them to set up social media accounts, video call their friends and family, or find online groups that share their interests. This way, they won’t miss out, and will feel like they have a purposeful life.
- Encourage self-care
Self-care is important for everyone, but it can be even more vital for the elderly. Help them to find ways to take care of themselves that work for them. This could include things like exercise, relaxation, and healthy eating.
- Make everyday routines simple
Many everyday tasks can become more difficult as we age. You can help by breaking down tasks into simpler steps, or by helping them to find ways to make their lives easier.
- Support their hobbies and interests
Helping elderly people to pursue their hobbies and interests is a great way to empower them. This can give them a sense of purpose and help them to feel more connected to the world.
Where in Beverly Hills can I hire experienced and dependable in home caregivers?
Here at A Better Way in Home Care, we have a team that can match you with some of the most dedicated and trustworthy Caregivers in your area. It doesn’t matter if they live around Rodeo Drive or elsewhere in Beverly Hills: we can help you accomplish a range of household tasks and make your everyday life easier. Whether your elderly relative needs help with grooming, light cleaning, taking medication, seeing the doctor, or other daily activities, you can count on us.
Call us today and we’ll gladly match you with someone!