When providing care for an older adult, it’s easy to slip into a habit of taking over tasks. After all, it’s often easier to do things yourself and to provide the senior with the opportunity to sit back and enjoy being pampered. While our intentions are certainly in the senior’s best interest, particularly with regard to safety concerns, it’s important to make sure we’re not overdoing and taking over activities the senior can still do independently. Dr. Barry Jacobs, clinical psychologist and co-author of the book AARP Meditations for Caregivers, shares his own experience with this in providing care for his mother: “…I mostly succeeded in curbing her independence and squelching her spirit. She didn’t see me as her caring son so much as the overbearing usurper of roles she cherished.” … [Read more...] about Show Support While Encouraging Senior Independence