Part of life is watching the people who raised age. It isn’t pleasant, and it’s tempting to step in and help them out because you care so much. Unfortunately, striking the right balance between being helpful and overbearing isn’t straightforward.
You may think you are doing them a solid, yet you could take away some of their independence. That’s no big deal because the elderly need support. Of course, they need to remain proactive rather than reactive, and taking control of their lives will have the latter effect.
Here are four reasons promoting independence in elderly loved ones is beneficial to everyone.
They’ll Live Longer
Not only will they live longer, but they’ll be physically and mentally sharp, too. This is because studies prove a link between aging and not being active. Independent people don’t lead sedentary lifestyles – some work, others go grocery shopping, and the rest renovate their gardens. It doesn’t matter what the activity is as long as it boosts their cognition. Once your loved ones get used to someone doing everything for them, they’ll have no reason to get out of bed in the morning. Plus, My Heart Finder highlights that activity reduces the risks of diseases and illnesses such as cancer, heart problems, and strokes.
They Won’t Rely On Your Time Or Money
It’s worth noting that children don’t begrudge their parents anything. After everything they did for you when you were a kid, it’s only fair that you repay the favor. Of course, it’s twice as hard to maintain your lifestyle when your Mom and Dad need plenty of your time. A direct knock-on effect is that they may require financial help, too. Independent pensioners are different because they are still in control of their money, especially if they work part-time, and are mobile. From your perspective, that means you can put off the tough conversation about moving into a home.
They’ll Socialize
Speaking of, there is nothing wrong with nursing or caring homes for your parents. For starters, it’s nothing to be ashamed of as needing help is inevitable as people get older. Also, some are centered around cleaning and maintenance, the stuff that people hate. At John Knox Village, your parents wouldn’t only get to maintain their independence, but they’d be surrounded by friends and familiar faces. They can do this outside of a living facility too, yet the events are pre-organized at an independent care home, so it’s even less hassle!
They’ll Be Happier
Let’s face it – nobody looks forward to the prospect of aging. Still, they are called the “Golden Years” for a reason. Your parents have worked the majority of their life to be in a position to retire in peace. Sadly, this won’t happen if they feel as if they need to call their kids for help every five minutes. Losing their independence means relinquishing their confidence, too. When that happens, they won’t be content.
There will be a time when they can’t be fully independent. Until that point, you should let them make as many decisions as possible.
