Knowing when to ask for help can be hard. Additionally, asking for help can be scary. For many seniors, it can feel like a further loss of independence and control. It is certainly normal to want to maintain autonomy as long as possible. But at the same time, self-sufficiency needs to be balanced with reason sometimes. Especially when safety is at risk. Asking for help can hard to do. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with the request. In fact, it will likely help far more than it will hurt.
Huffington Post writer Marian Knapp reflects on what exactly asking for help means to her as a senior. While it may seem contradictory, you can be independent, competent, and ask for assistance when it’s needed. Many seniors feel that it will spiral into being completely dependent on others. They may worry that others will start making decisions for them and they will lose their independence. However, this is rarely the case.
More often than not, people actually appreciate when others ask for their help. In addition, your family and friends will likely feel more trust towards you. By asking for assistance when you need it, you are showing that you are capable of judging your own needs, and what you can or can’t do independently. In reality, you may risk your credibility more if you put your safety in risk when help was an option.
Your support system is there for a reason. Friends, family, and community are vitally important as we age. You might need them to drive you to the emergency room at some point. Or maybe something as simple as lifting a heavier object or reaching to the top shelf at the store. Remember that people can’t know your needs if you don’t ask. And if you don’t have a support system, there are Aging Life Care professionals like Arizona Elder Care available to step up. And by knowing when to ask for help, you are ultimately maintaining your long-term independence, health, and safety.