Aging might be a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to mean that we lose power and control and no longer have a say in the way we live or what we do – in fact, it should really mean the opposite. After all, we’ve lived a long life and learned many lessons, so we should be able to put all those lessons into action – if not when we’re old, when? 

With that in mind, here are some of the ways to make seniors feel more empowered; if we can normalize doing this, more people will be able to enjoy their retirement years and live long and happy lives. 

Photo by MART  PRODUCTION

It’s All About Decision-Making

One of the most important elements when it comes to empowering older people is that they need to be more involved in decision-making, especially when it relates to them, their health, and their future. It’s easy for younger family members to take charge at some point and start making these decisions for their loved ones, just because they think it’s the best thing to do and they feel it’s helpful. The truth is, it could be removing any control or power your family members have, and they’ll feel helpless and useless as a result. 

That’s why it’s wise to ensure your older relatives are involved in as many decisions as possible. Whether it’s about daily activities, healthcare choices, lifestyle changes, or anything else, asking for their input and respecting their decisions is vital. Make sure you always have good conversations and plenty of open communication so no one feels they have to hide how they really think and feel, and everyone’s going to be a lot happier. 

It’s the listening that counts for a lot in this situation, and even if there’s a good reason why your loved one can’t do what they want to do (or has to do something they don’t want to do), the fact that you listened and considered their opinion is going to help a lot and give them some power and control. Remember that older people will have mortality on their minds more than younger ones, and if they want to talk about their funerals and make decisions about bronze headstones or the music that’s played, don’t turn away or try not to listen – it might be hard, but it’s helpful for them, so it’s an important thing to do. 

Install The Right Technology

Sometimes the issue is that the older person can’t live alone due to their health or mobility issues, and they need to move to a nursing home or move in with family. Although this might be exactly what’s best for them, it can definitely lead to a loss of control and negative feelings.

So what if there was a way to stop those negative feelings, to let the older person be more independent, and to give you peace of mind that you’re doing the right thing? In the past, that might not have been possible, but today, it could be, thanks to technology. From video calls to smart home divides that monitor movement or give people access to services that might not otherwise have had, technology means that people can be more independent for longer (although, it’s important to note that this won’t be the right option for everyone, and some people do need care and constant assistance). 

Of course, the older person will need to learn how to use the technology, and this can be the tricky part, but if you take your time and go through everything carefully, and if you’re on hand to help in the future, should they forget how to use it or have a problem, slowly but surely they’ll get there. Plus, don’t forget there are classes designed exactly for seniors to learn how to use the tools they need to feel and stay empowered – and going to those classes is empowering in itself. 

Financial Empowerment

Seniors can often worry about finances and financial stability, so it’s a good idea to help them by involving them in financial discussions and decisions. If you’re not sure where to start, why not look into their budget with them and ensure they can see what’s going in and out of their accounts – they can then use that information to make important financial decisions and feel empowered because of the choices they’re making. 

They’ll also, hopefully, have some ‘spare’ money left over by streamlining everything, and that means they’ll have even more control over what they’re spending, so they’ll be even more empowered. It’s a win-win situation, especially when you consider they’ll be less stressed and less strapped financially. 

Promote Physical And Mental Wellbeing

For a senior to really feel empowered, they need to be able to do what they want to do when they want to do it. They need to be physically and mentally as healthy as possible because they can then have a lot more freedom – they can go for a walk if they feel like it, they won’t need people around them to help them move around, they can stay out of hospital, and so on. 

To help empower your loved one in this way, make sure they’re doing as much exercise as possible, and that includes mental exercises to keep the brain active (things like puzzles are ideal, for example). When you can empower older people to take charge of their health, they’ll feel in control of their lives, and they’ll see they’re accomplishing something important as well, so they’ll be more motivated to keep going and stay healthy. Why not exercise together if you can give them more encouragement (and it’s not a bad thing for everyone to exercise more anyway)?