Senior members of every family always want two things – your time and you. Loneliness and the feeling of being left out hurts the elderly. Going out and socializing are the last things elders do just because they do not feel well-equipped to move out all alone at any point in time. The younger generations definitely want to help out and take care of, but some constraints may limit them from attending to a senior’s needs.
Here is a comprehensive list of things you can do to comfort them
Reassure your seniors that age is just a number
People age faster when they believe that they are ‘old’. They start second-guessing every choice because they believe that as seniors they are expected to act a certain way. Reassure that whatever they feel like doing, whether it is learning a new hobby or taking a trip, they could if they feel up for it. Families often restrict seniors in the fear that something may go wrong. Which is something that makes the Primus senior citizen home in Bangalore different. We, at Primus, encourage seniors to pursue their passion and hobbies while we take care of the rest.
Keep in touch
It is always a good idea to keep in constant touch with your friends and family but it is most important to call and talk to the elders in the family. This gives them a sense of belonging and also a reason to look forward to the day. Be a friend to the elders and see the magic unfold when you hear what they have to say, the advice and conversations that flow from experience and wisdom.
Take them out
Do you ever feel lonely and wish to go out with friends or do you indulge in weekend friend gatherings? You sure have! Why not turn the tables and go out with your parents or elders? Plan weekends with the older members of the family, plan family picnics, family gatherings and more to help the elders feel good. Going out will make them feel good and happy! At Primus Bangalore and Chennai senior citizen homes, we make it a point to take the seniors out on fun trips every now and then.
Teach them to use gadgets
Everyone has a smartphone, they are the easiest way to connect and stay updated. Help them understand apps like Whatsapp and Facebook so they can connect to their kids and grandkids. Learning new tools keeps their curiosity alive, they can also find new interesting things like recipes, hobbies or just TV shows that they’ll love.
Ask instead of imposing
As a part of ‘taking care’, we often overlook what seniors might truly be looking for. If you want them to consult a Doctor, talk to them, and explain why you want them to do it instead of 0scheduling an appointment. Facilities like Primus that offer Assisted Living in India have activities and games to ensure the seniors are keeping mentally and physically healthy.
Adhere to their diet plans
Often dietary restrictions could make it impossible for seniors to enjoy food that they once relished. If you make their favourite dishes, serve them a small portion. Physical well-being is something that should be a top priority. But that being said, you must create new, inventive ways of creating tasty dishes that are low in sugar or spices. Bland food can often be considered a ‘sign of old age’ and can be very demotivating for many. Primus is one of the top independent living communities for seniors. Primus has an in-house restaurant with food prepared by professional chefs. Meals for the residents are planned by an experienced nutritionist to ensure the dietary requirements of the seniors are met without fail.
Always remember he who stays in the shadow of the elders knows what utmost bliss feels like. Even if you stay away from your parents you must make plans to visit them. Fix up a schedule to call them every day either while traveling to work or while getting back home. Skype call them, make them see and feel connected with you because nothing else is more important to them than you and your time! They are worth every bit of both of them
You may also like
Pain Management- An Integral Aspect Of Senior Health Care
The elderly population presents many challenges to medical practitioners, including severe and declining physical and medical conditions. The biggest myth is that pain is normal in elderly people. Many seniors feel that it's normal to feel pain as a part of growing old and so they do not report it on time. Pain in the elderly are either untreated or under-treated and these have a profound impact on their quality of life. Pain is one of the feared complications that accompany old age. It has a severe impact on the mood and functionality and often results in depression, anxiety, social isolation and sleep disturbances. Lack of training, inappropriate pain assessment and reluctance to prescribe opioid medicines also result in many elders living with chronic pain. There are various options for pain management available that can be used to manage varying levels and durations of pain for the elderly.
READ MORE
Leave a Comment