I don’t know a single eldercare provider in my circle that wants to move a senior before it’s time to do so. Yet, I also have seen time and time again that so many seniors are afraid to accept any form of help out of fear that they will be “removed” from their home.
First of all, unless it is an extreme circumstance, no one is forced to leave their home ever. As a matter of fact, taking these issues into your own hands in considering next steps in living, keeps you as a senior in control of your life. It also provides you a way to make the transition easier for when that time comes.
Understand “when the time comes” can sometimes be the most daunting. We can often be in denial about our own every day habits, or our own decline when it comes to living independently. As professionals we can come into a senior’s home and notice things that you may take for granted. We may ask you questions that you might find a bit strange, but it will help you to perhaps realize that you aren’t doing things as you used to do.
Ask yourself these questions and answer them honestly:
- How is your walking? Do you hang on to furniture to navigate your home?
- Are the bills being paid on time? Are you being more forgetful than you used to be?
- Do you struggle going up/down stairs?
- Is the thought of cleaning your house overwhelming?
- How easy is it maintaining your yard or landscaping?
- Are household repairs piling up without a way to fix things?
- Have you fallen recently? Did you almost fall?
- Do you hang on more tightly to railings and other items to navigate walkways or stairwells?
Those things can indicate that it may be time to let go of an environment that isn’t supporting you. Perhaps it’s time to “downsize” or what we prefer to say, “right size” to a living situation that will support where you are at the time of your life.
Check out the many podcasts we have here on Answers for Elders, and learn more about how you can achieve a better quality of life. Start thinking about all of the things you CAN do if you aren’t burdened by the things that are holding you back.
When you are ready, we are here to help.
Lead image © Can Stock Photo / obencem
