Every aging family member was also young once. With their wealth of life experiences, they can impart their wisdom to the younger generations. They may require more help in their day-to-day activities but it is important that they are still treated with the respect they deserve. You can help them to age with grace by actively including them in your life and helping them maintain their dignity. These tips can help you to maintain dignity for your family members.
Ask for Their Opinions
While you have grown up and have to make many decisions independently, there are still many ways you can consult your family members for their opinions. Ask for their input when making important decisions so they still feel involved in your life. This can come under areas of financial management, a change of jobs, or in regards to ways of educating your child.
When it comes to decisions made regarding their own lives, you have to respect what they have in mind. For instance, some family members may prefer to reside in a senior living community in order to be around their peers and have more assistance from trained professionals. Even if you may not agree, you can still let them make the decisions for their lives.
Assist Them in Becoming Independent
Even though aging family members may become more reliant on other people, many of them still wish to perform tasks independently. This is a way they can hold on to their dignity and age gracefully. There are ways you can help them to be more independent, such as by including reminders about when to take medication on their phones and offering the use of ergonomic cutlery.
For loved ones who need more personalized care, assisted living options such as the Senior Assisted Living in Discovery Village are helpful. Those suffering from dementia can also consider being part of the memory care program, where they learn to manage their lives better with trained team members.
Give Them Space
Though these family members may require more care, they are still adults who need their own space. Make sure to give them the privacy they need by respecting their boundaries and not going into their rooms during times considered off-limits. In addition, if your loved ones require physical assistance when showering or going to the restroom, make sure you get their permission for the amount of help they are willing to accept.
Use A Non-Accusatory Tone
Living together as a family can give rise to conflicts from time to time. You may sometimes feel frustrated when communicating with your loved ones and that is only natural. However, avoid using an accusatory tone that places the blame on them. They are likely to already feel vulnerable and insecure about their bodily changes and growing reliance on others. Try to hold constructive discussions and talk to them calmly to prevent conflicts from going out of hand.
This can be difficult if your loved one has dementia and is unable to communicate normally. In such cases, make sure to schedule an appointment with a doctor and ask for ways to manage the communication barrier more effectively.
