Your parents have led full, meaningful lives and as they approach their golden years, they might begin feeling like their best days are behind them. However, as a caregiver, you are responsible for helping your parents to realize that they remain respectable members of society, despite their age or any misconceptions that they may have. Your role is important because, at times, your parents may begin feeling like a child as you start handling more of their basic needs. As such, it’s important to implement systems that allow them to maintain their dignity. Read on for our top tips on how to help your parents maintain their dignity.
Involve Your Loved Ones When Making Critical Decisions
As a caregiver, you may feel like you’re the one who has to now take charge of critical decisions involving your parents. From dentist appointments to physical therapy, you seem to be the only one who has to decide on what’s best for them. However, it’s important to remember that a major part about your parents maintaining their dignity would be allowing them to retain some form of autonomy over their lives. Hence, although it may seem easier for you to decide without speaking to your loved ones first, we would advise you to gain their input before moving forward with decisions.
Respect Your Loved Ones’ Privacy
For caregivers with parents with mobility problems, this may be a tricky tip to adopt. Try your best to sit down with your parents and decide which parts of their lives they wish for greater privacy over. For example, while showering, perhaps you can be outside the toilet for emergencies and otherwise, allow them the time to shower without your watchful eye. It is important to come to a compromise and ensure that they are able to maintain their sense of privacy while still making sure they do not pose any risks to themselves.
Help Your Loved Ones To Be More Independent
Another part of growing old but still maintaining their independence would be the ability to do things independently. It may come naturally to you to handhold your parents to get the task done quickly, however, allowing them their own space to do basic tasks such as getting dressed is essential in ensuring that they can still retain some semblance of independence in their lives. At Discovery Village At Melbourne, we believe in giving our residents the flexibility to lead independent lifestyles while taking off the burden of mundane tasks, such as household chores.
Speak To Your Loved Ones In A Calm Tone
Many older parents might feel disrespected and undignified when spoken to in a harsh, condescending manner. Hence, it’s important to keep calm, even when you’re stressed out or angry, so as to not wound their feelings. However, if you feel like the stresses of caretaking are having a negative impact on you, consider a retirement community like ours, for your parents, where an experienced team can help to ease the emotional load.
