צוות iSavta | 13.11.2019

 

One of the major challenges of caregivers is when seniors prefer to do daily tasks on their own. Seniors rejecting the assistance of other people happens a lot. They feel that they still have the strength to manage their daily routines like bathing, cleaning, and cooking. Clearly, these kinds of seniors need assistance. As caregivers and family members, what you can do is to support the elderly in their daily tasks and at the same time encourage your seniors’ independence.

A technique called interactive caregiving may be applied to motivate these older adults to do their daily tasks with a sense of independence. Interactive caregiving is defined as doing things or activities with them instead of doing things for them. This means that seniors will get to do things together with you which promotes their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. For example, in bathing an older adult, you can let them wash parts they can reach using their hands and just help them on parts of their body that they cannot reach or needs further assistance.  Aside from daily tasks, you may want to do together activities that interests them. For example, if the older adult under your care likes singing, you can sing with them. If they like gardening, then do it with them. Performing activities with the senior will improve their quality of life and boost their self-esteem.

Another way to improve an older adult’s independence is to allow them to socialize with their friends and loved ones. When these older adults feel the warmth and recognition of the people around them, it also increases their confidence level. Once they feel confident about themselves, they also strive to do some activities on their own. They will also feel less isolated if they feel the respect of others.

In order to improve seniors' independence, their minds must also be kept active. Games that stimulate the mind, such as crossword puzzles, chess, and scrabble will definitely help older adults have a sharp mind in doing daily activities.

As a caregiver, it is best to identify what household chores or tasks a senior is capable to do. Let them do these tasks but watch over them. Help them when there is a need for assistance. Walk together with your loved one. Play a mind game together. Read and eat with them. Improve your seniors’ quality of life by giving them a chance to do some tasks on their own or do tasks together. In doing so, you are building memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.