On October 1st of each year, we observe the International Day Of Older Persons, which means that’s the day everyone should go out of their way to recognize an older person in their life for their contributions to society, and for the impact which they’ve had on your life. There’s no doubt that older citizens have made some extraordinary contributions to life in general, but they are also among the most vulnerable people in our society. In Pontotoc and elsewhere throughout the country, everyone should make a point on October 1st to be a little nicer, and a little more tolerant of seniors you know. Senior home care professionals strive to do this on a daily basis, and we can all take a cue from them, to be a little kinder to the seniors in our lives. Here are five ways we can all show a little more respect, and offer a little more care to elderly citizens we know.
Spend some time with them
Many senior citizens become very lonely, especially if they have lost a partner during their lifetime, and are now on their own. Seniors who have no significant individuals in their lives will often fall victim to degraded health because they simply lack the motivation to continue on by themselves. It has been said that one of the keys to healthy aging is to maintain relationships with people you care about. For this reason, it’s important that you spend as much time as you can with a senior person, and really listen to what they have to say. There’s a lot that can be learned from elderly individuals, and you just might come away with a better understanding of something.
Solicit their advice
Some of the senior citizens in our lives are the wisest individuals that we know, yet most of us don’t take advantage of that fact. Seniors have had a whole lifetime to gather together experiences and knowledge which might well be important to pass along, yet most of us do not avail ourselves of the opportunity. Seniors have a lot to contribute to the world, so soliciting advice from a senior can be a lot more useful than just making them feel good. While it is true that you’ll probably be flattering an elderly person by asking for their advice, there will often be a practical benefit to it as well, because you’ll come away a wiser person.
Discuss family history
There is a certain charm and strength in the history passed down from one family member to another. This kind of oral history can achieve a togetherness that few other things are capable of, and they can help bind together all those individuals who are either part of the family or have touched the family in some way. Studies have shown that children who have obtained a high level of knowledge about their family history, are more capable of resisting stress and overcoming challenges in their lives.
This is probably due to the fact that they have a strong sense of their own personality and where they came from, and it just makes them a stronger individual. Scientists have discovered that when family history is not repeated across generations, it only takes three generations for family history to become obscured and to be lost. The next time you have a chance, sit down with an elderly family member and discuss whatever family history they are willing to relate to you.
Give them a call
If you happen to live a long way away from your senior relatives, you should periodically give them a call to show them you’ve been thinking of them, and to find out what’s happening in their lives. Making a phone call to your elderly loved one is a very easy way to show them that you care, and it can make a world of difference to them, knowing that they have relatives who still feel strongly about them. It’s very easy for all of us to become so busy that we forget to keep in contact with those we love, but if you make a point of calling your elderly relatives, you’ll be doing them some good, and you’ll feel better about it as well.
Visit senior communities
Many of the seniors who frequent senior communities have been largely forgotten by family and friends, so they seek out companions who are in their age group. When you visit a senior community, you’re actually telling seniors that you haven’t forgotten them, and that you care about their lives. This can be important in giving them a sense of purpose, and it can also make them have a sense of self-worth because there’s someone who wants to converse with them.
You don’t need to have one of your own relatives living at the senior community in order to make a personal visit there, and it’s an excellent way of reaching out to seniors to show them you value them as individuals. If you can make a habit of doing this, make a point of watching their faces as you first join them, and take note of all the smiles and the upbeat attitudes which occur, just because you have given them some of your time.