Caregiving 3. Cultural Sensitivity, Personal Values, and Personalized Care: Each older adult’s cultural, spiritual, generational, and personal values are unique, and impact their perspectives about aging, receiving help, and family responsibilities. Support and care should be tailored to the individual, taking health condition(s), interests, and personality into consideration. 4. Maintain Social Connections: Family connections and community engagement improve wellbeing. Care recipients and caregivers benefit from planning social interactions, outings, and in-person or virtual connections. 5. Financial and Healthcare Planning: Define and legalize roles and responsibilities before a crisis. Older adults and caregivers who have real conversations about healthcare decision-making, powers of attorney, managing finances, and creating a will or trust are better able to manage the aging process. 6. Regular Assessment and Adaptation: Older adults and caregivers are wise to regularly assess limitations and needs. Being flexible and adaptive to these changes can prevent unnecessary strain on both the care recipient and caregivers. 7. Seek Professional Guidance: The aging resources, supports, and services available are vast. Seeking information and guidance from organizations including Pima Council on Aging can simplify the process and relieve stress.
Independence and Assistance: Guiding Principles for Older Adults and Their Caregivers By Deb Seng, Caregiving and Community Initiatives Director
8. Practice Gratitude: Aging is demanding for both the care recipient and caregivers. Intentionally identifying things to be thankful for and expressing this gratitude—to both the care recipient and caregivers—creates cooperation, resiliency, and even contentment. By focusing on these eight principles, and communicating in honest and respectful ways, older adults and their loved ones can come together to balance independence, assistance, and connection in meaningful and effective ways. To explore these principles in your unique situation, contact our Aging and Caregiving Specialists at (520) 790-7262.
Aging is not a solitary event. Growing older brings a variety of difficult changes, impacting our closest relationships. These principles can help both care recipients and caregivers think and talk about concerns in proactive and respectful ways. 1. Safety and Wellbeing: Ensuring safety is a top priority. Older adults and caregivers can assess the home for potential hazards and plan for needed modifications together. Consider strategies to improve lighting, limit trip hazards, develop toileting and bathing safety, and safeguard nutrition and food safety. 2. Balance Independence and Support: Older adults have independent decision-making histories—and aging limitations do not eliminate this desire and skill. Talk openly with one another about modifying tasks and needed assistance. Dignity and purpose are preserved when an older adult is empowered to participate in daily choices and activities.
March & April 2025, Never Too Late | Page 15
Pima Council on Aging
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