The importance of reminding WA’s seniors how capable they really are

One of our team recently shared that she had to remind her overwhelmed mother that she once ran a very busy Perth hospital ward for some years with absolute aplomb.

Another had to give her father a gentle nudge that he could still play and enjoy his beloved lawn bowls every week with his mates after a fall.

These are both important examples of something we can easily forget - getting older doesn’t erase a person’s capabilities or who they once were.

If you’re advocating for an older Australian’s health and wellbeing, you’ll know this often comes with the management of medical appointments, medications and mental health which can be a full-time job for those of us who are the ham in the sandwich generation.

And if you’ve spent time with an older parent or loved one recently you may have noticed that their confidence can often start to decline as they age.

A decline in confidence is natural as we age, because we no longer possess the swagger and bravado of our younger years… there’s a reason for the saying, “youth is wasted on the young.”

Lack of confidence can also be due to the general ageing process, physical challenges, major life transitions, or an illness or bereavement. Whatever the reason, it’s fair to say that confidence and ageing do not always go hand in hand.

But confidence is an important part of the ageing puzzle, because without it, older Australians can lose their independence, develop anxiety at completing simple tasks, feel horribly isolated and lonely or become far too dependent on their family and friends.

Advocare’s helpline receives hundreds of calls from people every month who have lost the confidence to go about their daily lives, even though they still possess the skills and feel completely overwhelmed by the thought of having to do these tasks on their own.

Sometimes this stems from elder abuse or trying to understand the ins and outs of the aged care system or modern technology, but other times it has to do with a life event that has really knocked their confidence sideways.

It’s not easy to navigate, and requires a delicate approach, but it is important to have a gentle conversation with your loved one about their confidence, so they can actively seek help and support if they need it.

It’s also important to empower them with that conversation, remind them of what they’ve achieved in the past and what they’re still capable of now.

Sometimes your belief in them and an honest conversation can make all the difference.

Here’s five tips to approach the conversation with empathy and respect: