Help your loved one continue to do what they love and fulfill meaningful roles in new ways.
- Abilities Focused
- Positive Reinforcement
- Modify the Environment
- Use Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Technology
- Change the Approach to the Task (Role)
Role changes can be very challenging. Losing all or part of a role may result in a process of grieving.
It is important to explore all safe and viable options prior to losing a role. There are so many new technologies, tools and creative approaches that may allow someone to keep their role through modifications and adaptions.
See our Tips Page for more ideas.
Adapting
We have to learn to adapt. Adapting is basically a process or adjusting to a new condition, situation or role. Adapting can help people get to a more positive or acceptance stage of a role change.
**Speaking with a medical professional is recommended. You can begin by discussing specific concerns with your loved one and their doctor. Sometimes having a doctor make suggestions can be helpful as some people are more apt to listen to their doctor than their family and it takes some of the pressure off the family to preserve the relationship. You are solely responsible for your own health and the health of your loved one. Aging uniquely is not liable for any injury or adverse effects. These strategies will not be appropriate for every individual and this is not medical advice. These are just factors to consider. Also see our Disclaimer at the bottom of our home page.
Table of Contents
1. Abilities focused
Try to shift your attention and your loved one’s energy into focusing on what they can do. Do not dwell on what they cannot do or make them feel guilty, incapacitated or otherwise generally negative about their condition.
For example, someone may not be able to stand to cook or safely reach into the oven to bake, but the person can sit and form balls of dough or something similar. Additionally, someone may not have the endurance to continue to work, but the person may be able to volunteer for a couple hours a week in a similar role.
Sometimes the person may only be able to complete part of the task. The person should be allowed to complete part of the task and have help with the additional parts they are unable to safely complete. This allows the person to continue to feel a sense of purpose and to retain their current physical and cognitive abilities. Retaining abilities for as long as possible minimized the risk of further declines and debility. Like many have said, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”
2. Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is giving someone something good or pleasurable like praise or a reward after they do something good or desirable to make that behavior more likely to continue to occur.
Giving words of encouragement or a natural positive consequence of safely engaging in a role in a new way can help the person continue to safely fulfill this role.
For example, helping someone bake their favorite meal as the person assists while sitting and then receives the natural reward of having the meal or praise from the assistant, should make them more likely to safely engage in the task again. The praise should be in regards to the safety to make it clear the person should not complete the task independently if they are not safe.
On the other hand, you should not praise, reward or encourage unsafe behaviors as this would make the unsafe behaviors more likely to occur.
For example, telling someone you are impressed at their baking skills using a low oven even though they have fallen 3 times in the past week when bending over, will be more likely to bake and to fall. They should have assistance or an assessment by a health professional (ex. Occupational Therapist) to improve balance and develop safe approaches to the task before trying again.
3. Modify the Environment
Changing the environment to make it more accessible can improve safety and independence while decreasing the risk of falls and injuries. Additionally, making the task easier can help those who fatigue easily be more comfortable and independent with the task. I would highly recommend an assessment from a qualified professional such as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist before making expensive changes or purchases!
See more about the Person- Environment- Occupation (PEO) Model
Here are just some examples of strategies to improve safety and independence:
- Home modifications: Install a walk-in shower, widen doorways for walker or wheelchair access, increase lighting for those with low vision, put in a ramp for easy access, add grab bars by the toilet or shower, add a raised garden bed to the yard, Add a fence to the yard instead of walking the dog with a leash.
See more items that will help someone with Low Vision.
- Durable Medical Equipment: Shower chair, hospital bed, Bed side commode or toilet riser, add a stair lift to get to another floor.
Learn more about Professionals that can help with Aging in Place.
See more Adaptive Equipment and Durable Medical Equipment on our Resources Page.
4. Use Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Technology
Adaptive equipment and mobility devices can decrease the demands of the task to increase independence safely. It is very important to have a qualified health professional assess needs and recommend the correct equipment because there is a lot of different equipment and each person’s needs are unique!
Here are just some ideas:
- Assistive and Mobility Devices: A 4 wheeled walker (rollator) with a seat for walking in the community and for rest breaks, walkers and canes for balance and to decrease falls, a power wheelchair for long distances
- Adaptive Equipment: reacher to get items from the floor, long handled sponge to wash feet and back, long handled shoe horn, magnifying glass with light for low vision, pill organizer for medications, electric can opener for those with arthritis
- Assistive Technology: Medical alert systems, automatic pill dispensers, robot vacuums, books on tape for those with visual difficulties, smart house technologies, automatic litter box
See our resources page for more ideas on helpful equipment.
5. Change the Approach to the Task (Role)
In addition to changing the environment or demands of the task associated with a specific role, a new approach to the task, changing a routine or habit and pre-planning can increase participation in roles and tasks.
A compensatory approach is approaching and completing the task in a new way.
For example, learning 1 handed techniques to put on a shirt with a broken arm or lack of movement in 1 arm. Additionally, sitting to fill the cat bowl instead of bending down from standing if one has balance issues.
Behavioral modifications include changing a routine or habit to improve independence.
For example, if someone has more energy and better balance in the morning, they should take a shower in the morning instead of the afternoon.
Pre-planning how to complete the task or fulfill the role can increase independence and decrease overall stress.
For example, contact the airliner ahead of time for a guide or wheelchair to assist with mobility. Additionally, plan extra time between sites during a vacation if you need longer rest breaks.
See Aging Uniquely’s Tips for Aging Adults for more ideas!
Addressing Underlying Impairments
This must be a conversation with a doctor as some of these interventions may not be safe due to various medical conditions or not be realistic given someone’s status. Aging Uniquely is not recommending any specific techniques, but presenting considerations. You are responsible for your health and the health of those you support and aging uniquely is not liable.
However, it is worth noting that addressing underlying impairments such as poor balance, endurance, strength, lack of coordination, etc. may get someone back to their role safely. It is worth a visit to the doctor to determine if the doctor may recommend exercise, write a prescription for formal rehabilitation or therapy or assess for an underlying disease process or medication side effect.
Next: Considerations for Aging in Place
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Aging Uniquely Health and Legal Disclaimer:
By continuing with this site, you are agreeing that you acknowledge and understand this disclaimer in full and will not hold Aging Uniquely, parent companies or content creators liable for the information or use of information on this site because everyone ages uniquely and has unique needs. The content on Aging Uniquely sites is for general information purposes only and Aging Uniquely does not provide medical or health advice. It is not a substitute for medical or health professional advice and you should never ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking emergency care because of something you read on the Aging Uniquely website or social media platforms. If you are experiencing a medical emergency call 911 or seek emergency services. Aging Uniquely is not responsible for what may happen if you use their information in place of medical or professional advice. You are responsible for your own health and safety or how you apply this advice to adults/older adults you support. I highly recommend you consult the proper qualified medical or health profession before implementing any information from Aging Uniquely or other health related websites.