Spending quality time with family
Most elders value quality time spent with family members and friends more than material gifts. Your visit, telephone call, or card in the mail will benefit their well-being.
Generational differences, however, might make you feel uncertain how to interact with someone decades older than you. To overcome this, keep in mind that your elders could share exciting stories and perspectives that will enhance your life.
Evaluate an Elder’s Abilities
Someone who uses a walker or wheelchair might want to stay home, which means personal visits might be enough to brighten his or her day. If the person has hearing problems, avoid noisy venues, like a sporting event or busy restaurant. The noise could make conversation difficult and even distress an elder.
Most elders, regardless of their stage of aging, will appreciate thoughtful visits that include activities like:
Activity Ideas for Limited Mobility Elders:
- Organizing a photo album or scrapbook
- Recording family recipes
- Building genealogical records
- Preparing meals
Out and About with Active Elders:
- Board games and cards present undemanding diversions that help to foster conversation.
- You can run errands for an elder, like buying stamps or picking up a prescription. When you deliver the items, bring a snack and spend some time visiting.
- Elders often need someone to do chores. Let the person know that you’ll take care of tasks like fixing a screen or shoveling snow.
Some elders retain physical abilities for decades. Many of them, however, lack companionship because they have outlived spouses, relatives, and friends their own age.
Visits with Cognitively Impaired Elders
- The Vancouver area offers multiple trains or boat trips. You’ll have a chance to enjoy the outdoors while travelling in comfort.
- A nice day on a golf course will give both of you some exercise and a chance to talk.
- You could also be available to accompany someone to dinner, a play, or a party.
Engaging with a loved one troubled by Alzheimer’s disease or dementia creates challenges. Even so, the same goal of providing a warm and friendly experience applies.
Bringing a prop, like a photo album or picture book, to a visit could enable pleasant conversation. For example, someone who loves animals might respond enthusiastically to a coffee table book with beautiful animal pictures.
Things as simple as a hug and sharing a cup of coffee could prevent someone from feeling isolated and forgotten. As an elder’s companion, you’ll make a friend who really appreciates you.