There are probably many different people and things that demand your time. Work, school runs, extracurricular clubs, having a social life, and getting the right amount of sleep. From time to time we lose touch with the people who need us the most. Our elderly relatives.
They are all too aware that you can be really busy, and they don’t always demand that you stay in touch.
However, those are the very people who could really benefit from your time and attention. Loneliness, boredom and isolation are some of the most reported problems for elderly people. Throw some mobility issues into the mix, and that can be pretty isolating.
So here are some ways that you can take care of your elderly relatives.
Write
All you have to do is schedule enough time to write a letter every once in a while. Even though we are all living in the land of text messages and emails, there is a lot of joy to be had from a simple letter. Set a monthly reminder, and jot down what you’ve been up to. Add postcards, printed photos and more. Even if you only live 10 minutes away, this mail when delivered can mean so much.
Care
If you know that your relatives need more care than you or your family can give, then it might be time to consider hiring someone. Having an in-home caregiver or placing your loved one in a nursing home that you trust might put your mind at rest. When mobility becomes an issue, you have to think about what is best for your relatives. Usually, a bit of extra help is required. And when it comes to their lifestyle and business needs, you may need to consult one of the best law firms in town to guide you.
Technology
Teaching your relatives how to use an iPad or other tablet-style devices to make video calls or send emails is going to make keeping in contact even easier. If your relative can tackle making a call this way, then more ‘face to face’ contact will be easier.
Monthly Meet-up
Even if you pop over once a week, make time for at least one outing a month. A tea room, a nice restaurant, somewhere that serves amazing coffee and cake. The choice is yours, but take the time to get out of the house and do something fun for a while. This is even more important if there are mobility issues and your relative isn’t getting out as often as they used to. If they are still pretty mobile and have a sense of adventure, you could even book a vacation.
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Thanks for great guide. This post is helpful for me to take care my parents.
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