Everyone who lives with older adults is very well aware of the many physical challenges they face. We make it our duties to ensure the safety and well-being of the seniors in our lives. However, it’s important for us to remember that, while helping our elderly loved ones, we have to come up with ways to help them feel independent. A loss of independence is a huge reason so many seniors have lowered self-esteems.
In what ways can you help to boost a senior’s self-esteem?
Help to grow his/her social network.
No, we’re not talking about social media here. The majority of senior citizens aren’t particularly concerned about engaging with others on the Facebooks, Twitters and Instagrams of the world. Instead, they’d much prefer to connect with others the old fashioned way. The thing is they often don’t have the confidence to go out and meet new people. With your help, your elderly loved one can join a group of seniors. Being around relatable people can grow a senior’s of self-worth.
As Beth Brown of Palm Beach’s Home Care Assistance points out, “meeting seniors their own age who are going through similar life experiences can provide your loved one with support you simply can’t offer. Sharing his or her experiences and listening to others will help your loved one feel a sense of belonging and connectedness to his or her peers.”
Encourage strong hygiene practices.
For many older adults, it’s hard to find the energy to bathe on a regular basis. When bouts of depression kick in, it can also lead to unwillingness to comb hair, brush teeth and practice generally washing up. When you encourage your elderly loved one to maintain good hygiene, it will help him/her to feel, smell and look better. This can help your elderly loved one to feel better about himself/herself in general.
“Sitting around in sweats and a bathrobe might be comfortable, but it’s certainly no way to increase your self-esteem,” warns Beth Sager of Griswold Home Care, “Get up, get cleaned up, and get dressed as if you are going out to socialize even if you aren’t. You’ll find that your opinion of yourself becomes more positive. And if you are having trouble having good hygiene, a caregiver can help with personal care.”
Make your home more accessible.
There are few things that are worse for a senior’s confidence than an inability to climb the stairs or even get up from a chair without assistance. To restore an older adult’s independence is to give him/her confidence that he/she would otherwise not have. This is why making your home accessible is such an important step in growing your elderly loved one’s self-esteem.
“Many times, a dip in self-esteem is the direct result of the loss of independence,” agrees assures Tom Laborde of Aegis Living, “Be proactive by installing handrails in the tub, checking that rugs don’t slip, keep frequently used items within easy reach, and make sure pathways in the house are clear for easy walking. Give them the tools they need to live safely in their home.”
At Advantage Home Health Solutions, we proudly offer a number of solutions that make your home more accessible. Among them are our high-quality stair lifts. To learn all about them, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 403-460-5438. You may also email us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
