Understanding What Losing Independence is Like
I’ve often had people ask me about working with elderly clients. While we get many questions one recently stood out to me. What is it like for your client to have to give up their independence and need help? We actually hear that question all the time…kind of.
No Place Like Home Health, LLC: What Losing Independence is Like
Our clients are the ones that face this challenge each and every new day of their lives. I once had a client say that he had been able to do everything for himself for the past 88 years. Now he was forced to face a new and scary realization that he no longer could do those things for himself and needed that help. Well, that is what we were there for. To help along the new journey.
But what does it really mean to lose your independence? I had a great example shown recently. It is a quick exercise that hits right to the point.
Take out a piece of paper and something to write with. Go ahead, this will be here when you get back. Got them? If not, seriously, grab a piece of paper and something to write with!
Good now, do the following…
Write down five things that you hold dear to your life. Now you can not do multiple things so if you have kids, you cannot say children. If you want to name your good child that is OK. Families are a no also. Here is an example of one of mine. 1. My wonderful wife 2. Business 3. Our home 4. Memories 5. Independence. Hopefully, this helps you with your list. Got it done? OK let’s move on to the next part.
Look over your list really carefully. Pretty good list? Now take one of your items and cross it off! That’s right, you can never have, see, use, do, anything with that item ever again. Not fair? Is dementia fair? Is cancer fair? Is anything taking away your independence fair?
Now cross off another item of your list you will never have again. For good measure cross off one more item. Down to only two items left. Oh, if you have an item for money, car, or home left please cross those off too!
These are the realities that our clients face every day. Memories fade. Selling their house because they are moving into an assisted living facility.
When a loved one is faced with these life-changing events, have compassion, empathy and maybe a little understanding. It is not easy when their whole life is changing and there is nothing they can do to stop it becoming this new reality. Just know that there is help out there. No Place Like Home Health is helping make these though transitions easier for both families and the individuals going through these changes.
No Place Like Home Health, LLC – Call (734) 259-4200.
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