Independence is an important part of maintaining our well-being. The definition of independence is “freedom from the control, influence, support, aid or the like of others.” The definition however changes slightly within care.

As a person ages, their health and mobility often decline, and as a result their independence declines also. They may never be fully independent again, but with help their circumstances can improve, especially when they receive the correct care.

97% of people would prefer to live the rest of their life in their own home. Having alterations put in place specific to the individual being cared for can greatly improve their quality of life.

How to help

It may be tempting to try and take control when trying to help your loved one or service user, however from their perspective it can be frustrating. For example, having someone make you a cup of tea occasionally, is nice, however when you take the decision away from them it can make them feel like a burden, especially if they know they can help themself.

Empowerment

It’s important to give them a choice and be inclusive, don’t just assume their answer before you’ve asked them. When they must decide, ensure you are promoting the following:

• Give them the options available and any relevant information that is important in their decision making
• If they want to carry out a task independently, let them, just make sure you are on hand to help if they ask for it
• Ensure you they have enough time to make the decision, especially if it’s an important one (such as care options or home adaptations)
• Reassure them that the choice it’s theirs to make
• If they are struggling, offer your support
• Encourage them to make healthy choices that will benefit them the most
• Ask about everyday decisions too, don’t just involve them with the more important ones
• Familiarise yourself with their background and life story, as this can heavily impact their decisions and their thought process behind them

By encouraging your loved one or service user to choose for themselves, you are supporting their independence, listening to their choices which makes them feel valued.

Examples

Talk to them about how they would like to spend their day. Whether they would like to go out for a coffee, visit church or go out shopping, these are little aspects of our lives that we take for granted that aren’t so easy for them to do. If they need support getting out of the house you could help them to accomplish this. If you are a relative who lives away or doesn’t have any spare time, you could ask your care provider to arrange this visit for you.

Educating your loved one how to use new technologies and the internet could also help them manage their independence. With this they could order their shopping online and get it delivered as well as being able to contact friends and family easily, especially those who don’t visit often.

Home adaptation such as grab rails, stair lifts and removing trip hazards are also important to think about. If the struggle with their independence is mainly caused by mobility issues, home adaptations could greatly help.

Help them keep their routines. By ensuring they have a routine, it helps keeps them busy and occupied as well as giving them something to look forward to.

Most importantly, listen to their opinions. By listening to their choices and understanding their needs, you aren’t just helping them live independently but also making them feel valued and understood.

Worried about your loved one’s or service user’s mental health? Find out more on our Senior Mental Health blog: https://dalecare.co.uk/news/senior-mental-health/