Should Safety Trump Senior Independence?

It’s a struggle that arises for many families: older adults adamantly want to age in place in their own homes, while their family members are worried about their basic safety. And there’s a point to be made in both instances. Older adults, particularly those who live alone, deal with a variety of risks: falls that could possibly end in serious injury, difficulty in maintaining the standard of living to which they’ve become accustomed as aging progresses, even a vulnerability to fraud artists. Yet senior independence is key to self-worth.

Striking a balance that meets the requirements of both sides may very well be difficult, but the Hinsdale home care team at Independence-4-Seniors Home Care suggests the following important factors to think about that will help.

  • Let go of ageism. Since there is probably credibility to concerns over well-being for older adults in the home, especially when they live alone, the other side of the picture is our perception of aging. Pioneer Network President/CEO Penny Cook explains, “Our negative perception helps marginalize older adults. They become ‘less than’ because that helps us cope and then we take on the parental model.” A change in this reasoning lets us keep respect for seniors that they so rightly deserve, and to know how important it really is for them to continue being as independent as possible during the course of aging.
  • Know their rights. Legally, unless seniors are struggling with intellectual challenges, they continue to have the legal right to make decisions independently – even when the choices made are not the ones we might have chosen for them. Attorney Barbara Cashman explains, “Even if I decide to give my money away, a judge could say that it’s my money and my choice what to do with it.”
  • Communicating is crucial. As with any disagreement, calm, reasonable discussions tend to be the best weapon in calming difficult situations and coming to a resolution that works well for everyone. Sit down with your senior loved one and talk about your fears, but prepare yourself to listen with an open mind to his or her opinions and views. Keep in mind that an answer might not be achieved in one discussion; use an initial discussion as a launching point, and agree to revisit the matter regularly to reassess.

Most importantly, understand there is a viable alternative: the professional in-home care services of Independence-4-Seniors Home Care. We can help in a number of ways to enhance safety, providing loved ones peace of mind, while empowering older adults to maintain senior independence, making their own choices and decisions in the comfort and familiarity of home. Contact our Hinsdale home care team at (630) 323-4665 for an in-home assessment to find out more.

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