Volusia Senior Care

Supporting Independence

Practical tips for caregivers to help patients maintain and build independence.

The biggest mistake most caregivers make is providing too much care. As a caregiver,

your highest goal is to give the person you are caring for the power and the permission to

be in control of his or her own life (as much as possible). It is important for patient’s to

feel indpendent both for their emotional needs, and physical.

 Expect more from a care recipient. People respond to

expectations so if you expect the person to get dressed

or prepare a simple meal, they often will. It is also

important to limit your availability to help. If you are

not there to do everything for the care recipient, they

will be forced to do more on their own.

 Give the person something to take care of. Some

studies show that when nursing home residents were

given a responsibility, such as taking care of a pet or

house plant, that they lived longer lives.This also

helps them become and feel more independent.

 Encourage movement and exercises. Mobility

increases independence and decreases complications

due to inactivity. Exercises that put the major muscle

groups through the full range of motion (ROM) must

be encouraged. Even the smallest efforts, if done

consistently, will lead to greater independence for the

care recipient.

 Break big tasks into small ones. Depression, fear, and

humiliation are major obstacles for a patient. If tasks

are too complex, the care recipient may feel frustrated

and defeated. Simplify complex tasks into small parts

or steps.

 Encourage the use of assisitve devices.Mobility aids

such as wheel chairs, canes and crutches, and walkers

encourage independence. As do sensory assistive

devices such as vision aids, hearing aids, and

dentures.

 Offer encouragement often. It is often hard for a

patient to see their progress. Reward for both effort

and result. Make the patient feel good about doing

things independently.

 Let the patient make as many decisions as possible to

maintain their independence. Deciding what to wear,

what to eat, and what time to go to bed, are all

important to make them feel they are in control of

their own lives.

 Provide for psycholosocial needs. Care recipents who

are ill or disabled often have an increased need for

acceptence from loved ones. Entertainment and social

interaction is essential to everyone, especially

someone trying to recover from and illness or

someone living with a deteriorating health condition.

Encourage family and friends to visit, and remind

them as well. Because patients often feel isolated,

plan outings of their choice to enable them to

socialize and feel more independent.

Dressing

 Provide as much privacy as possible during dressing.

Patients may take longer to dress and be fearful of

breaches in privacy.

 Offer frequent encouragement to relieve stress and

frustration.

 Provide assisitve devices such as a button hook or

loop and pile closures that may make it possible for a

patient to continue their independence.

 Encourage the use of clothing one size larger. This

will make dressing easier and more comfortable.

 Clothing items that may increase independence

include front-opening brassier and half slips and

elastic shoelaces or loop and pile closures on shoes.

 Provide a makeup mirror and assist as needed. Fine

motor activities may take longer and could be

beyond the abilities of the patient.

Bathing

 Maintaining privacy during bathing is fundamental

for most patients. Allowing the patient to select a

bath time when they are rested and unhurried

ensures the best outcome.

 Provide support with assistive devices such as a

long-handled bath spong, a shower chair, safety

mats, and grab bars.

 Encourage your patient to brush their hair, brush

their teeth, shave, and perform minimal oral-facial

hygiene to maintain autonomy.

Communicating

 Evaluate the need for adaptive equipment on the

telephone such as a pushbutton phone, larger

numbers, and increased volume.

 Supply patients with felt-tip pens for writing.

These require little pressure to mark and are

easiser to use. Evaluate the need for a splint on

writing hand,

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