A guide to supporting independence in older adults

Most healthcare professionals will be well aware of the benefits associated with the preservation of independence for their older patients.

Remaining at home can give older adults a sense of independence, freedom and identity, and allows them to retain their privacy and stay in control of their lives.

Maintaining this sense of control can help promote feelings of purpose, achievement, and self-worth. And of course, living at home allows seniors to stay connected with family, friends, and the community, which is critical for social support.

As Dr Ngaire Kerse notes in her article titled “Independence in older age requires a lifetime of independence” (see the first story in this publication), functional independence for older adults depends on a number of factors, including regular physical activity, pleasant home environments, interacting with supportive and positive people, feeling a sense of purpose, having autonomy in decision-making, keeping the brain stimulated and having optimal management of health conditions.

Even with all these elements in place, seniors can still face threats to their independence, such as falls and other accidents, respiratory disorders, and heart conditions. While some of these threats are unavoidable, appropriate measures can be put in place to minimise their impact on senior independence.

Over the last few years, New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa has published a number of articles concerning the issues facing older patients. Now, with the support of Hato Hone St John, we have compiled many of those articles into this handy guide.

We intend for it to serve as a useful resource to help you when considering how to support the independence of your older patients.

If you would prefer to view a flipbook version of the guide on your device, click the "fullscreen" button at the bottom right of this display:

For more information about St John Medical Alarms, visit: stjohnalarms.org.nz/hcp