There is no better place than a home. A building made up of brick and cement doesn't constitute a happy home, it is the love that binds them together. For many, home is a place that holds a lot of emotions and a lot of memories to be cherished for a lifetime. Grandparents (or) Elders at home are said to be the pillar of our house. Where a pillar is a thing that holds the entire building just like that Our grandparents are the ones who hold the family.
In former times, children were brought up by their grandparents with much love and affection. But as they grew, they flew abroad for their higher studies and career leaving their grandparents behind. We often forget the way we came. But they never complain about it, yet they long for it. It is our prime responsibility to take utmost care of them. A small effort from our side can change the complete scene. Here are a few ways on how we can support elders to make them feel wanted,
Give them back what they gave you. Nothing can beat the care of our grandparents. In today's world, where people are running behind the clock to make some money, taking care of grandparents is highly impossible. Therefore the best thing you could do is to appoint a care attender. Care attenders are designed to meet the needs of senior citizens like giving them a bath, cooking a meal, giving medicines at a proper time, taking them for a walk, etc.
There are a lot of geriatric home care services available in the market, which provide an overall package of everything a seniors citizen needs. Right from cooking food to booking tickets. Especially if your grandparents are the ones who stay alone, opting for a home care service would be the wise option.
2 . Spend time with them:
Even though you get them everything they want, arrange for everything they need, all they want is to spend some quality time with you. Talk to them about how their day went, did they eat well. These may look too simple for you, but what else can bring a smile to their face more than your presence. This would not just make them happy but will make them feel wanted. The more they share things with you, the lesser they feel lonely. Even if you can't spend the whole day with them, at least try to have a single meal of a day with them. Spend more time with them on weekends.
3 . Fulfil their dreams:
As people age, they stop living for themselves. As parents/Grandparents, they might have sacrificed their dream to fulfill our dreams. But it's our responsibility to bring them into reality. We being the modern young generation visiting a foreign country isn't a big deal. A lot of elders would have dreamt of visiting foreign countries, but they might have dropped it for many other practical reasons. Taking them for a small abroad tour might sound a bit expensive, but nothing can buy the happiness in their faces.
4 . Create a senior-friendly home:
As people age, things might start getting harder. Aging turns everything upside down. Walking for a small distance might look too far, Eyesight might reduce, Using the toilet might look scary, etc. Things they have been doing for years together now might look impossible. Senior-friendly homes are easily accessible and limit the risks involved. Senior-friendly homes are nothing but modifying things according to their comfort like replacing normal toilet seats by fixing a raised toilet seat, using a shower chair/bath chair for bathing, etc. Creating a senior-friendly environment might make them feel secure and wanted.
5 . Providing them a safe environment:
Safety is not something you should compromise on, especially for elders who are staying alone. Life is so uncertain and today's world is totally unpredictable filled with miseries and mishaps. We could provide them a safe environment by fixing CCTV cameras outside the house, installing an intercom at the doorstep, etc. Providing them a safe environment will not just protect them from external harms, but will also enhance their mental strength hoping that they are in safe hands.
These are a few ways by which we can make seniors feel wanted. It just needs a small effort on our part which can bring a big impact on their lives.
Author:Team 60plus India
Keywords: Grandparents, Seniors,Senior citizen, Elders, senior friendly, Care attenders.
Tags : #feelwanted #Care #support #grandparents #grandchildren #seniors #seniorcitizen #olderpeople #elders #agingpopulation #love #affection #safety #safeenvironment #homecare #geriatriccare
