When your senior loved one chooses to age in place, it can be scary to let them do this. You may be wondering how you can help them live independently and how you can address their emotional needs. When you or a companion care at home provider learn to address a senior’s emotional needs, it can help create a unique bond between you and the senior and build trust, respect, and mutual understanding for the type of care they need.
But how do you address and understand your senior’s emotional needs?
You and Their Companion Care at Home Must Listen Actively To Your Senior
Assuming what they feel or their needs are will never help your loved one. You need to find out what they think they need and actively listen to them. When they start talking, it is your job to start listening to what they’re saying and understanding them. Provide them with your full attention and ensure companion care at home is doing the same thing.
Respect What They Want
As an adult, you are allowed to have your opinions, but you still need to respect that you are their child. You need to respect them as your parents and respect their wishes. If they live independently, they are still in control of their lives, and whether you like their wishes or not, they must be respected. When you go against what your loved one wants, you do not address or support their needs. This can cause friction in your relationship and make a senior feel socially isolated in the future. They need to have you to talk to, and they need your companionship for socialization.
Find The Right Hobbies
One of the best things you can do for your seniors is to help them find hobbies. This is a good way to self-express and show what they need or have plenty of. If your senior hasn’t found a good hobby, you may want to recommend activities for them. They can take music lessons locally, art lessons, or even go to studios to get creative. If they need help getting places, you can take them, or you can ask companion care to take them to these activities.
Help Them With Self Care and Prioritize Safety
All seniors should be practicing self-care. This will help them feel good about themselves and encourage them to live independently. If they can’t do this and are uncomfortable with your help, ask their caregiver to help. A professional may help them get dressed, bathe, and even do smaller things like brushing their teeth each night. If your senior feels up to it, you can take them for mini spa days to get their toes done professionally or get facials to treat your elderly mom. Self-care doesn’t have to be done at a spa; it can be done at home and keep your loved one feeling good about themselves.
Your loved one should always feel safe in their own home. Keep their homes clutter free and help clean if necessary. If your loved one needs companion care at home, make sure you go with someone reputable to keep your senior safe. You should do many things to ensure their safety, but it must be your priority.