Having a loved one who’s reaching old age can lead to situations that aren’t always the easiest to deal with. Discussions may need to be had that require a sensitive touch, as well as a great deal of compassion and understanding for their position and what they’re going through. That being said, sometimes just showing that you care and want to help can be a great comfort in itself, so there’s nothing to be lost by putting yourself forward as available in that regard. If you know exactly how you can help and what you can do, you can confidently approach them.
There are degrees of severity in terms of how big a commitment each of these offerings of help might be; some are small gestures that can have a large impact, while others are larger issues that they could be concerned about. In either case, making yourself emotionally available to your elderly relative or loved one can go a long way and help them feel as though they’ve got someone to rely on.
1. The Power of a Simple Conversation
This certainly comes under the bracket of ‘small gesture that goes a long way’, as it doesn’t take much at all but can have a huge effect on your relationship. Sometimes the conversations won’t be about anything at all, just keeping them company, but other times you’re going to have to talk about serious or complicated issues, maybe about their health – in which case it could be beneficial to know how to approach it delicately.
If you live with them or visit the loved one in question regularly, this might be something you already manage to do. However, if you don’t, this could be a good way to build a bridge out to them, either with a visit or a simple phone call.
2. Getting Them the Proper Care
Another issue that could potentially be at play is that of their living situation such as at senior care Brooklyn. They could be at a point where they would be most comfortable in an assisted living environment, but obviously, having that conversation with them is difficult and never easy. This can be an emotional transition for both you and your loved one, so you want to make sure that they’ll be moving somewhere that’s actually good for them. McKnight Place assisted living can offer an incredibly high standard of care and comfort for your relative, as well as an understanding of how to approach conditions such as Alzheimer’s, if that’s a consideration.
3. Helping them Enjoy New Hobbies
As people age, they may find themselves less physically able to do things they once enjoyed, which can be a distressing and upsetting experience. You can help by introducing them to new hobbies that better suit their ability at this stage – it can even be something that you do together to build the emotional connection they have with this hobby. A good example of this is gardening, which not only can be light and easy-going but also good for mental health, both yours and theirs.