8 Tips for Helping an Elderly Parent Maintain Their Independence

As your parent transitions through later life, a lot of small changes occur within the home. You want them to remain independent for as long as possible, but you don’t want to turn a blind eye to potential safety risks. It may feel like a delicate balance at times, but there are eight things you can do today to help your parent feel independent and in charge of their own life.

1. Focus on What Is Possible

As your parent ages, their physical and mental capabilities will change. They will lose the ability to do many things around the home, but that doesn’t mean you should prevent them from helping at all.

Rather than focusing on their inabilities, it helps to continuously evaluate their current abilities. That shift in focus maintains a positive mindset that can empower your parent rather than leave them feeling defeated or helpless.

2. Protect with a Personal Alarm

Personal safety alarms allow the elderly to remain in the comfort of their homes with reduced risk. The units are compact, lightweight, and wearable. The most common devices are watches and pendants worn around the neck or attached to clothing.

If your parent falls or otherwise needs emergency assistance, they can press a button to alert live responders at a monitoring center. Knowing that help is always one click away can give elderly parents greater confidence when moving around the home.

3. Maintain or Establish Social Connections

Research has shown that an active social life reduces the risk of depression and contributes to longer life spans. It may even help prevent dementia.

If your parent already has strong social connections, do everything possible to preserve those relationships. The more time they spend interacting with others face-to-face, the better. If those relationships are currently lacking, consider finding ways to establish new connections. Churches, local senior centers, and community programs often offer opportunities for seniors to interact with others.

4. Invest in Home Modifications

Some simple home modifications can enable your parent to do more for themselves for as long as possible. For instance, you may add handles next to the toilet and in the shower stall, allowing them to feel stable and secure while using the restroom and showering. Non-slip surfaces and stairway railings can help as well.

5. Embrace New Experiences

Independence isn’t just about doing the things you’ve always done for yourself. It also extends to enjoying new experiences. Talk to your parent to explore things they have always wanted to do but never had the opportunity. That may include things they enjoyed in their younger years but haven’t attempted in many years.

Consider your parent’s physical and mental capabilities to set up safe new experiences periodically. With a little coordination and effort, you can enrich their lives with adventures that bring a sense of independence, satisfaction, and excitement.

6. Keep Clothing Simple

Keep buttons, buckles, zippers, and ties to a minimum. Your parent will have an easier time dressing themselves with simple clothing that is easily pulled on and off. The ability to get dressed is personal and can go a long way to enabling your parent to feel more independent.

7. Take Advantage of Advanced Technology

We’ve already discussed personal safety alarms, but that’s not the only technological advancement that can help your parent maintain independence later in life.

Use advanced communication technology to connect your parent with loved ones and friends without leaving home. You can also use home automation technology to automatically lock doors, alert when doors or windows are opened, and adjust the heating and cooling on a schedule. You can even use smart lighting that allows your parent to turn lights on and off without getting out of bed.

8. Encourage Physical Activity

Even if your parent didn’t exercise in their younger years, find ways for them to move their body now. Keeping the muscles and joints strong and flexible will reduce the risk of falls and other movement-based injuries. It may even come with emotional well-being and cognitive benefits. Group exercise classes are a great option because they allow older adults to socialize while exercising safely.

It’s worth the effort to help your parent remain safely at home for as long as possible. Keep the lines of communication open so that you see every potential opportunity to give them the dignity and daily enjoyment that they deserve.