It’s easy to get caught up in a busy lifestyle, especially if you have a demanding career and kids to look after, but try not to forget about your elderly relatives. Loneliness can be a big issue with senior citizens, and some might be too proud to admit they feel this way, or perhaps they need additional healthcare and assistance around the house. To make sure your senior relatives are happy and looked after, here are some things you can do.
Call Them
Again, it’s easy to get caught up in with things going on in your life, but how hard is it to pick up the phone? You don’t have to call your elderly relatives every day, but once every week or two could make a huge difference. A casual conversation to check in on them and to catch up with each other could mean the world to them, particularly if they live alone. If they’re familiar with the technology, why not arrange a video-call instead? It might not be quite the same as talking in person, but it’s the next best thing.
Visit Them
If you live close by, going over once or twice a week for a cup of coffee or Sunday lunch would be a nice gesture. Even if you don’t live near to them, you should be making an effort to visit on the holidays or inviting them to come and stay with you. It’s important to make the most of the time you have together, as many people regret not making more of an effort with their senior relatives once they have died. It’ll also make them feel wanted and appreciated to see you make an effort with them.
Get Extra Care
While spending time with your senior relatives is hugely beneficial to their mental health and morale, sometimes it might be necessary to consider what other care they might need. Some families choose to invite their elderly relatives to live with them and provide this care themselves. However, this can be very demanding, and the kind of care they need you might not be able to offer if you’re not professionally trained. You may have to look into getting a healthcare worker to visit your relative at home or move them to a senior care residential facility. There is a variety of options to choose from that offer different kinds of care, look at these premier senior living options to get a better understanding of this.
Treat Them to Days Out
Another great way to take care of your elderly relative and make them feel loved is by treating them to a day out. Whether it’s a picnic in the park, to go and see a movie, or a day at the beach, getting them out of the house will do wonders for their physical and mental health. Not only is it another great way to spend time with them, but getting out of the house and keeping active is important for seniors.
It’s not hard to make an effort with your senior relatives; even a simple phone call can make a huge difference. Think about the points above and see how they can help to improve your relationship with your relatives and help to take care of them.