Most elderly parents prefer to live in the sanctuary of their homes. However, family members may feel unease with that idea, especially if their senior loved ones have no one to look after them. Not only do we feel like it’s not safe for our aging parents to live by themselves, but the fact that loneliness can affect both their mental and emotional well-being.
We only want what’s best for our elders, and there are a couple of things you can do to help ease senior loneliness.
Always find time to interact with them.
There is nothing better than having quality time with your loved one. For seniors, since they are now retired and have lots of time to spare, social isolation becomes quite common, so make sure to make it a point to interact with them as often as you can.
Set up dinner dates and family days, and don’t forget about special occasions. Call, text, or message them as often as you can. Our hectic schedule should never be an excuse.
Take them to events they would surely enjoy.
You know what your senior wants, and if you don’t, you can always ask them. Getting them out of the confinement of their homes to do things they love doing will lift their spirits and take the loneliness away, even for a couple of hours. Make sure that all activities are safe and that they can handle whatever event they are about to attend.
Give them a wonderful gift of life.
What’s the best way to combat loneliness? Get them an excellent pet they can handle and take care of themselves! Is your aging dad a dog lover? Why not get him a dog? Is your mom a fan of cats? Then maybe it’s time to give her a cat of her own.
Pets are capable of giving humans a sense of purpose. If you get your senior family member a pet of there, they will have something to look forward to every day. Make sure to pick an appropriate pet – like a well-behaved dog, and they can enjoy the many benefits that are both fun and rewarding.
Teach them how to use gadgets and the internet.
With all the technological innovations we have nowadays, you can do many things with just a couple of taps and clicks. Consider introducing your older loved to social media and teach them how to use gadgets. It can be a great distraction, plus they can easily maintain a connection while opening up a whole new world to them.
Also read: 5 superb reasons why ASUS ZENFONE 2 LASER 5.5S is the best gift for your mother
The Takeaway
If you, as a young and robust adult, can feel lonely sometimes, imagine how much more can your elderly parents must be feeling right now. Don’t let them experience loneliness and isolation when you can do something to ease their pain. If only we take some of our precious time to call, visit, and get someone who can take care of them while we are away, they’ll be a lot happier, healthier, and safer.
Julie Vicente suba says
February 10, 2020 at 10:12 pmSalamat dito mommy.💙