Boca Home Care Services provides examples of how a little in-home assistance can lead to greater independence for yourself or an aging parent or spouse. After all, feeling safe, secure and having someone to eat and spend time with improves your quality of life.

A common statement we hear is that I want to remain independent or I want my parents to keep their independence. Well of course, and helping someone who is either recovering from an illness or injury or who has a chronic,  degenerative condition is not only showing kindness, but a sensible decision so that they may remain independent and safe in their own home.

An independent person is one who makes their own decisions, plans, uses their own judgement and resources. Needing help, especially for a physical condition doesn’t make you stop being an independent person.

When a person has a broken leg and uses crutches, do they stop being an independent person? No, they just need crutches and some help in the home.

As our loved ones get into their 80s and 90s it may take more physical strength just to do the laundry, shopping, carrying groceries, cooking or even making the bed. If they have an unsteady gait, begin to fall, Arthritis worsens, experience other physical or cognitive impairments, then their safety, well being and quality of life, come into question.

Here are eight examples of how a little help in the home actually increases one’s independence:

Help with personal care (bathing, grooming or dressing) after surgery or an illness leads to better hygiene. This can be just stand by assistance for safety’s sake. After all, recuperation shouldn’t be stymied by a fall.

Help with shopping and cooking leads to better nutrition and likely better health.

Help with transportation improves safety and means you’ll likely be getting out more, besides to the doctor. You can get to activities or restaurants which usually makes us feel better when we are out and about or socializing with friends.

Help a few hours a day means you are alone less. Have someone to share a meal with. If you live alone this greatly cuts down on lonliness which can lead easily to feelings of depression.

Help with household chores, laundry, changing the linen, cleaning out a closet, with someone to assist you cuts down on Fall risks. As we know, a bad fall can be a life changing event.

Help with a spouse who has dementia gives you, the primary caregiver a chance to recharge.

Help allows the primary caregiver some respite time to care for themselves, go to their own doctors and overall look after their own needs first.

Help to a primary caregiver also makes it possible to go out of town for  a family event. At least one parent or grandparent should be in the wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Birthday or Graduation photos.

 So, exercise your independence, if you need either short term or longer term in-home assistance, then hire an aide or caregiver. If you have Long Term Care Insurance, then maybe it is time to use it.