Foxglove Granny Annexe with Flat Roof

How To Encourage Independence In Elderly Parents?

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As children, we want what is best for our parents. It can be difficult to watch your loved ones lose their independence as they get older, this is why it is vital that you encourage independence in elderly parents.

Sometimes when elderly parents can no longer live comfortably in their own homes, we have to make some difficult decisions and that can mean our loved ones have to live in environments that don’t give them as much freedom and independence as we would like.

Here at Family Annexe, we understand that your family’s happiness comes first so here is how to encourage independence in elderly parents with Family Annexe.

Is Independence Important In Elderly Parents?

Independence is important to everyone. From a young age, we strive to earn our independence and prove that we are capable individuals. Losing any independence can be tough, but especially if you have been independent for a long time.

When we lose any of our independence or our responsibility this can feel like we are losing control, and no one likes that feeling. Sadly, this is all too common for elderly people who may find they struggle with certain things as they age.

Sometimes household chores and daily tasks like climbing the stairs or doing their shopping can suddenly become hinge tasks that they can no longer do on their own.

 This can be disheartening for older people, especially if they have to start letting helpers into their homes or give up their independence and move in with a loved one or into a care establishment.

Title graphic for Family Annexe blog about nursing home alternatives

How To Encourage Independence In Elderly Parents?

It’s important that you let your loved ones remain as independent as possible for as long as they can. We understand that you want to help your loved one as much as possible but sometimes this can be more of a hindrance than a help.

There are plenty of ways you can help an elderly parent and still encourage their independence. If your loved one is still capable of living alone most of the time, but just needs some help with various tasks, you might not need to move them into a care facility at all.

There are a variety of housing alternatives to care homes for the elderly and a lot of them can help encourage independence in elderly parents.

Often the best housing option for an elderly person who doesn’t need to be in full-time care is specially built accommodation. This is an accommodation that has been built with the elderly residents in mind.

This includes living options like sheltered accommodation or retirement villages. These are purpose-built houses and flats that are designed so that elderly residents can easily manage and move into their new homes.

Sadly, these options aren’t right for everyone, and they might not be suitable if you need to keep your loved ones close so that you can always check on them and be there for them when they need you.

If this is the case, then a granny annexe may be the perfect way for you to keep your loved ones close and still be able to encourage their independence.

Elderly couple in a garden

Can A Granny Annexe Help An Elderly Relative Keep Their Independence?

A granny annexe is a great way to keep your loved one nearby. A granny annexe is usually built somewhere on the property and is designed to work like a small, fully functioning home.

At Family Annexe, all of our granny annexes are designed to be easy for an elderly person to use and manage. They are built with comfort and functionality in mind so that your loved one can live a happy independent lifestyle, but always be nearby if you ever need or just want to check on them.

Here at Family Annexe, we have a range of granny annexes and we are sure that you will find the right granny annexe for you and your loved one.

Foxglove Granny Annexe with Flat Roof
Foxglove: One-Bed Annexe

Get In Touch

If you would like to find out more about granny annexes, get in touch with Family Annexe. We have six unique annexe models available, each providing a safe and cost-effective solution to elderly care.

Family Annexe has an efficient seven-step process, designed to make your annexe experience stress-free and enjoyable. This starts with a free, no-obligation consultation!

Grandfather and Grandson

Why Independence Is So Important For Seniors

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Everyone loves having their independence and we all want to have control over our lives. Sometimes as we age, we lose some of our independence and that can be discouraging and even upsetting to some people.

This is why independence is so important for seniors and what we need to keep their happiness and independence in mind, especially when it comes time to find suitable housing for our elderly relatives and loves ones when they can no longer live alone.

Why Independence Is So Important For Seniors

As your loved one’s age and gets older you might find that they can’t manage the same as they used to. Simple tasks like climbing the stairs or using baths and showers can put tremendous strain on their bodies and make it difficult for them.

When this happens to people, they might feel like they are losing some control over their lives and that they are losing their independence.

This is especially true if your loved one is struggling so much that they need help around the home and can no longer manage in their own home without help. Whether it’s a family member helping them or a paid home care assistant, being taken care of and being looked after can make you feel like you are losing your independence.

Losing any independence and control in your life can be tough, especially when you’ve lived a long rich life full of independence.

Title graphic for Family Annexe blog about nursing home alternatives

How Can I Help An Elderly Relative With Out Affecting Their Independence?

We understand that as children you want what’s best for your parents. Seeing them struggle can be hard and we know you just want to help them as much as you can.

Sometimes the help we provide to our loved ones can, in fact, be more of a hindrance. If your loved one can still manage in their home to some extent, then it is best to try and let them for as long as possible.

If your loved one does need help around the home, however, there are lots of ways you can assist them without encroaching on their space and independence.

The best thing you can do is just be there for them. If your loved one needs help, then you need to be available for them whenever they may call for you. we understand that this can be difficult, especially if you work long hours or don’t live in the same town as them.

If this is the case, then you might need to look into moving your loved one closer. This could mean finding a more suable house for them like a bungalow or flat or looking into moving them to sheltered accommodation. This might not possible however as it is relying on there being a suitable home available when you need it.

If you want to keep your loved one close so you can help them then the best option is to have them move in with you, however, this can strip them of their independence. If you want to have your loved one live with you but still want them to be able to live a happy independent lifestyle then we recommend a granny annexe.

Grandfather and Grandson

Can A Granny Annexe Help An Elderly Relative Keep Their Independence?

A granny annexe is a great way to keep your loved one nearby. A granny annexe is usually built somewhere on the property and is designed to work like a small, fully functioning home.

At Family Annexe, all of our granny annexes are designed to be easy for an elderly person to use and manage. They are built with comfort and functionality in mind so that your loved one can live a happy independent lifestyle, but always be nearby if you ever need or just want to check on them.

Here at Family Annexe, we have a range of granny annexes and we are sure that you will find the right granny annexe for you and your loved one.

Bluebell Granny Annexe Living Area

Get In Touch

If you would like to find out more about granny annexes, get in touch with Family Annexe. We have six unique annexe models available, each providing a safe and cost-effective solution to elderly care.

Family Annexe has an efficient seven-step process, designed to make your annexe experience stress-free and enjoyable. This starts with a free, no-obligation consultation!

Grandparents-holding-their-grandchildren

Balancing Work And Caring For Elderly Relatives

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As your relatives and loved ones get older you might find that you have to spend more and more time caring for them. Varying for a loved one can be difficult, especially if you have a busy schedule that means you have to balance work and family as well.

Balancing work and caring for elderly relatives isn’t easy but it is possible if you are able to find a care schedule that works for you and your family.

Struggling to balence and caring for relatives

Can I Balance Work And Caring For Elderly Relatives?

Balance work and caring for elderly relatives can be difficult, especially if your loved requires a lot of care and attention. As your relatives get older, they might struggle to manage in their homes. simple tasks like climbing the stairs can become difficult and your loved ones might struggle to cope in the house on their own.

When this happens, you will probably end up having to visit them more and more often to make sure they are ok. You might not be able to go to the shops on their own and so the task of doing their shopping may fall to you along with other household chores like cooking and cleaning.

This can cut into your already hectic schedule especially if you’re having to visit your loved one straight after leaving work. If it comes to a point when your loved one can’t manage in their home without your support anymore, then it might be time to start to look into housing for them.

Grandparents-holding-their-grandchildren

Should I Move My Loved One To A Care Home Or Care For Them At Home?

When an elderly relative can no longer live alone in their own home, there are many options and alternatives available when it comes to housing. Although there are so many different options, not all of them are suitable so be sure to know exactly what you and your loved one need before you make any big decisions.

Different care options can work for different people, but if your loved one is just struggling around the house you might need to consider a care home or look into home care assistants just yet.

The best way to balance work and caring for an elderly relative is to have the elderly relative live as close to you as possible, this way you can always be nearby if they need you. In some cases, it might be easy to have your loved one move in with you.

If you are thinking of having a loved one move in with you then there are several ways you can do this. having a loved one move in with you can be difficult especially if your hose doesn’t have much more space and you don’t want to start modifying your home to have a granny flat.

If this is the case, then you might want to think about building a granny annexe.

granny-annexe-from-Family-Annexe

Should I Build A Granny Annexe?

A granny annexe is a perfect way to have your loved ones close to you but in a way that lets them keep their independence and doesn’t mean you have to start sharing your home and losing some of your space.

A granny annexe is a small extension built somewhere on the property, usually the garden. A granny annexe is a small building that is also a fully functioning home that has been specially designed so that your elderly relative can easily manage in their new home.

All of our annexes here at Family Annexe is designed with functionality in mind. We make sure that all of our granny annexes is perfect for people of all abilities to be able to manage. You will work closely with the designers and engineers so that you know the annexe you choose is right for your loved and you can make any necessary modifications you need along the way.

Get In Touch

If you would like to find out more about granny annexes, get in touch with Family Annexe. We have six unique annexe models available, each providing a safe and cost-effective solution to elderly care.

Family Annexe has an efficient seven-step process, designed to make your annexe experience stress-free and enjoyable. This starts with a free, no-obligation consultation!