Imagine that Mom can't bend over to tie her shoes or Dad may struggle to pull himself out of his favourite armchair. What will you do? Do you simply offer to lace up the shoes for your mother or heave Dad upright? With only assisting, where and when necessary, the senior can maintain a sense of dignity and independence for as long as possible. This is important as it provides for a better quality of life. It's also important for caregivers to differentiate between the two terms of caring and doing.
Is there not a sense of pride in getting things done yourself? Whether it is vacuuming the living room, defrosting the freezer or tackling your income taxes, a person can often feel great accomplishment in getting the job completed. No matter how old you are, I believe this feeling still lasts. While it may seem easier for you to just do whatever needs to be done, encourage Mom or Dad to remain independent and challenge them to function for themselves.
Know that there are many excellent products on the market today to help a senior function independently and safely in his/her own home. Grab bars for the bathroom, a stair lift to transport a senior from the main floor to the second floor, bath chairs and so on. Drop into your neighbourhood healthcare supply store and scour the shelves ... I did this once recently and was absolutely amazed at what was available. If you cannot find what you are looking for, just ask the store staff ... they are there to help you. Even if a product is not currently in-stock, technology is always changing and something may well be designed.
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