As our loved ones age they will probably need some help to remain in their own homes and to continue to be relatively independent. They also have their pride and do not wish to be a burden to us. The trick is to balance what they need, what they can do for themselves and how to step in only when needed.
Abilities will decline as people age and sometimes there is an event that will radically change what they can accomplish for themselves. A stroke, a fall or a cardiac event may result in a need for help but remember that it is possible to recover from these events and come to a new normal in relation to what we can do for ourselves. It is as hard to let our aging loved ones struggle with a task as it is to watch a child learn a challenging skill. In both cases, stand ready to help but let them go as far as they can alone.
When ongoing help is needed, it is very hard for most folks to accept your help because they do not want to be a burden. Reassuring our loved ones that it is a privilege to help is a good start but expect to meet some resistance along the way.
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