Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine yourself like this: You’ve spent most of your life in New Hampshire taking care of and helping others – as a parent, in your career, through volunteer activities, and as a grandparent. After all those years of feeling independent and in control, suddenly you’ve aged to the point that you are now the one in need of care. Imagine the sense of loss. Fear. Vulnerability.
If you’re providing care for a senior loved one, it can be helpful to put yourself in his or her shoes when facing struggles related to assisting the person with personal care tasks. The difficulties that person is feeling are real, and a little empathy and compassion can go a long way towards fostering a sense of comfort in accepting your help. Let’s face it: allowing someone to assist with such personal tasks as bathing, dressing, and restroom needs is uncomfortable at best, and can feel downright degrading if not handled with sensitivity.
Live Free Home Health Care in Northern New Hampshire and the Lakes Region understands these challenges, and suggests keeping the SMILE concept in mind to help these delicate situations feel more comfortable for both you and your senior loved one:
Safety: Assistive devices such as electric shavers, grab bars, a shower seat and a handheld shower head can be helpful.
Modesty: Establish privacy in the room and preserve modesty as much as possible.
Independence: Allow older adults to retain some choice, to express their own personal style and to do as much as they can independently.
Levity: Be ok with imperfection. Make it fun.
Etiquette: Treat the person as an adult, with respect and dignity.
Live Free’s trained, professional New Hampshire home care team provides respectful personal care assistance in private residences or care facilities. Our home health caregivers are compassionate, fully trained, experienced and background checked – so you can trust that your senior loved one is safe and secure in our care. Some of the many ways we can help include:
- Bathing, hygiene and dressing assistance
- Light housekeeping and laundry
- Planning and preparing delicious, nutritious meals
- Transportation and accompaniment on errands, appointments, and to participate in fun outings
- Assistance with walking and exercise
- And so much more – tailored to your loved one’s unique needs
Contact us any time at 603-217-0149 to schedule a free in-home assessment and to learn more about how we can help make life easier and more comfortable for your senior loved one in New Hampton and the surrounding area.