Why Are Home Care Aides More Effective at Encouraging Seniors to Do More for Themselves?
Recently there was a gentleman, we’ll call him Michael, who had been devoting some of his time to looking after his aging father. His father had been living alone for several years since Michael’s mother passed away, and Michael was concerned about his safety and well-being. Michael didn’t want to consider discussing home care options because he honestly didn’t think it was necessary.
He assumed he was more than capable of looking after his father, keeping him safe, and helping him stay healthy and active.
Home Care in Spokane WA: Encouraging Seniors to do More for Themselves
He did this for several years and began noticing some interesting patterns develop.
He and his father started arguing more frequently. Michael was concerned about his father’s safety so he discouraged him from going out, doing certain activities, and even doing things around the house that Michael deemed to be potentially dangerous.
His father wanted to continue being as active as he could be and as persistent as he was, Michael understood there was really nothing he could say or do to prevent his father from doing potentially dangerous things. However, Michael wasn’t going to condone these behaviors and so he didn’t offer physical assistance for them.
That was putting his father at risk.
In a few months, his father had a heart attack. When he was discharged and sent home, his father was adamant about exercising and still being active. Michael was flabbergasted. He couldn’t understand his father’s stubbornness.
He assumed that exercise and physical activity was only going to increase the risk of another heart attack. Why couldn’t his father realize the unnecessary risks he was taking?
Michael failed to realize (and what experienced home care aides do understand) was that activity is beneficial for people as they get older.
It helps them to stay strong.
Even for those who have suffered heart attacks, exercise is one of the most effective ways to maintain or gain strength as they get older. Elevating the heart rate is one of the only ways to truly strengthen the heart muscles.
Also, physical activity helps mentally. When people are active, engaged in life, and exercising, it has tremendous benefits throughout many aspects of life.
Experienced and qualified home care aides understand the benefits of self-sufficiency. Whenever possible, they will encourage their clients to do as much as they can for themselves. They will offer physical assistance when necessary for them to complete these tasks and to be safe.
While many family members focus on safety first, staying active is often just as beneficial and home care aides understand how to balance the two effectively.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Spokane, WA, please contact the friendly staff at Love at Home Senior Care, today. Call (509) 204-4088
His role in Love In Home Senior Care is to educate people on what care choice is the best fit for the senior and their family while attempting to make this decision as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.
This decision making process should be smooth and stress free for everyone, including all family members and their loved ones. Having access to people with experience (like the team at Love In Home Senior Care) to assist you along the way can help this process. With an extensive background in health care, Andy has the experience needed to guide and direct your loved one to the choice that is the best fit.
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