Big changes can mean big emotional reactions for your elderly family member. She may not fully understand at times exactly what she’s feeling, but having a strong routine can help her to work through her emotions.
Ensure that She Still Has Privacy.
As she ages, you senior may need a lot more help than she used to need, with a variety of different tasks. Some of those tasks, especially personal care tasks such as bathing, can feel extremely intrusive no matter how badly she needs the help. Working with experienced senior care providers can ensure that your elderly family member maintains her dignity even in embarrassing situations.
Talk to Her Often about How She’s Feeling.
Touch base regularly with your aging adult about how she’s feeling and about what you can do for her. In the beginning, she may not give you specific answers, but you need to be patient. As you build trust with your elderly family member, you’ll find that it’s easier for you to get honest answers that you can use to help her.
Keep Her Social Life as Active as She Wants it to Be.
Some people are naturally more social than others. Isolation in the elderly can lead to depression and other problems, so it’s vital to find ways to keep that problem at bay. If your senior is interested in staying socially active, help her to continue to do so. Try to help her to find ways to remain socially engaged, even if she’s not a social butterfly.
Avoid Infantilizing.
Infantilization is the act of treating your aging adult as if she’s far younger than she is which often happens by using pet names and “babying” terminology. Remember that your aging adult is indeed an adult and treat her as such at all times.
Help Her to Stay Active.
Staying mentally and physically active can help your elderly family member to maintain her emotional health, as well. Help her to stay engaged with any hobbies that she enjoys or help her to learn a new skill or hobby.
Work with your aging adult to ensure that she’s getting the help that she needs if some of the situations that she’s dealing with are becoming too difficult for her.
If you or an aging loved one needs senior care in Lincoln, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
