Independence is important for older adults. There are practical steps seniors can take to support their own independence. There are also things caregivers and family members can do to encourage their loved ones’ independence.

Tips to Encourage Independence for Older Adults

February is National Senior Independence Month.  That makes this the perfect opportunity to learn more about what independence might look like as a senior. We’re offering our best tips and tricks to encourage the older adults in your life to maintain their independence.

Stay Active

You know the importance of staying active. At every age, it can have a direct impact on how you or your loved ones look and feel physically and mentally. Staying active is also one of the simplest things your loved one can do to maintain their independence. This may look different for them than it does for you. It doesn’t need to be vigorous cardio or intense weightlifting. Simple things like going for a walk around the block or taking the stairs (if it’s safe for them to do so) can be helpful. Plus, it can be a great way to connect with one another or friends. Think about making a walk part of your daily routine together.

If you think your loved one could benefit from something a little more involved, there are many options for low impact workouts. These types of exercises are typically easier on the joints, especially the knees. You could help them find a nearby pool where they can swim laps or join a group class like water aerobics. Gyms and fitness centers may also offer classes such as chair yoga.

Did you know most Medicare recipients are eligible for free gym memberships through Silver Sneakers? Contact a local gym to find out if they partner with Silver Sneakers and see if your loved one is eligible.

Pay Attention to Diet

This might seem misleading at first. We aren’t talking about your loved one counting calories or losing weight. What we’re talking about here is paying attention to what your loved one is eating. It’s less about things like calories or fat and more about their overall nutrition. Eating a balanced diet that contains fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, and protein can help your loved one feel physically and mentally well as much as physical activity can. Eating a balanced diet doesn’t mean your loved one can’t indulge in their favorite treat from time to time. Encourage them to use moderation and consider if their diet is well balanced.

Keep Social

Staying social is one of the best things your loved one can do for their physical and mental wellbeing. Like we’ve been discussing, physical and mental wellbeing are key to maintaining independence as we age. Encourage your loved one to talk to stay social by talking to a friend, sharing a meal with a loved one, or attending a game night. They can also help your loved one stay mentally sharper, which is helpful for maintaining their independence.

Seek Advice and Support

Your loved one’s independence may change because of a medical condition or ailment. They, and you, may brush it off as being part of getting older, like aching joints or an occasional fall. While that may be the case, it could also be a sign of something more serious. Encourage your loved one to talk to their doctor about any changes in their health.

Even if there isn’t an underlying condition causing the aches and pains, a doctor may be able to offer suggestions that can help your loved one. For instance, physical and occupational therapy can be a great way to improve mobility, decrease pain, and learn new ways to complete daily activities. If simple tasks, like doing laundry, seem to be more of a challenge physically, occupational therapy can help your loved one find a way to do it that is easier and causes less pain and frustration. If you notice your loved one is starting to struggle with some of their daily tasks, encourage them to discuss it with their doctor and see if therapy could help.

Try New Technologies

Phones and computers probably come to mind when you think about “technology.” When it comes to your loved one maintaining their independence, technology can go much further. One thing that could be helpful, especially if your loved one lives alone, is fall detection technology. There are many different options, but many of them look like a watch. If these detect that your loved one has fallen, they can call for help. Many also have an emergency response button so your loved one can call for help with the push of a button, whether it detects a fall or not.

A newer technology that is popular with people of all ages is smart home technology. You may have lights, outlets, thermostats, locks, or more that are part of your smart home. With an app on your smartphone or simple voice commands, you can turn lights on and off, adjust the temperature, or even make sure your doors are locked. There are even some smart home options to make sure the stove doesn’t get left on. As a caregiver, this technology can give you peace of mind, making day-to-day life easier for your loved one and help them maintain independence.

Continue Hobbies

Hobbies are more than just a pastime. They can give your loved one’s brain something to do and engage them. This can be helpful for them staying more mentally sharp. For your loved one, keeping their brain engaged through hobbies can be great for maintaining independence.

Find Resources

You and your loved one aren’t alone navigating aging and independence. There are a lot of community resources that exist specifically for older adults. Using resources for some of the things you or your loved one need assistance with can help them maintain independence with the things they don’t need assistance with.

You may notice that driving is one of the first things that becomes more challenging for your loved one. Especially when it’s dark or the weather is bad. Your loved one may be hesitant to give up driving because they think they will have to give up their independence with it. But many communities have programs available to help older adults with transportation, such as senior centers. You can also look into options such as public buses or ride hailing apps. If your loved one needs transportation to a doctors appointment, their insurance may even pay.

Other tasks you may want to find resources to assist with might be a meal delivery service and housekeeping. Making sure your loved one has help with the tasks they need assistance with can give them more energy and the ability to maintain their independence with other tasks.

Monitor for Changes

Independence and the need for assistance are continuously changing. Just because your loved one doesn’t need assistance today doesn’t mean they won’t need assistance next week, next month, or next year. Similarly, just because they need a lot of help today doesn’t mean they’ll always need that much help.

It’s important to keep an eye on changes with your loved one’s lifestyle and routines. Encourage them to pay attention to when things feel different or more challenging. Remind them that just because a task is becoming more difficult doesn’t mean they have to give up all of their independence. They may just need to find a new technology, tool, or resource that can help. Any changes should always be mentioned to a doctor. They can make sure there isn’t something causing the changes and may be able to offer suggestions for getting help and maintaining independence.

When it comes to independence, we can be our own worst enemies. It’s natural for your loved one to feel scared or worried about losing their independence. Remind them that getting help when needed doesn’t make them dependent. Encourage them to ask for help.

Senior Living and Independence

It’s not uncommon to think that senior living means giving up all independence. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. At most senior living communities, the goal is to provide assistance when it’s needed while promoting independence.

In fact, “independence” is in the name sometimes.  “Independent” living’s main goal is for residents to live completely independently but offer a social lifestyle, maintenance-free living, and options for fewer chores. At independent living communities, residents don’t have to worry about things like routine maintenance, snow removal, and landscaping. Plus, many offer housekeeping and dining options.

Even as someone begins to need more support with daily activities, senior living is here to promote independence as much as possible. For example, assisted living residents may get help with showering. But that doesn’t mean they have to get help with everything. As long as they are able to do so safely, they can continue to get dressed on their own. Needing help with one task doesn’t mean senior living residents are forced to receive help with all tasks.

Senior living can be a great option for your loved one to maintain independence as they age. At The Ohio Masonic Communities, our campuses offer ways for your loved one to maintain their independence and thrive. We have three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio. If you are interested in learning more or seeing how senior living can promote independence for your loved one, give us a call at 1 (877) 881-1623 or contact us here.