If you want to make a big difference in someone’s life this holiday season, spend some time with a senior citizen. You can spend time with your senior loved ones or you can volunteer at a senior care center; a mere half an hour of your time can make a monumental difference in the life of a senior. You can change someone’s whole season by volunteering to spend some time with the elderly this holiday season.
Senior Care Tips for Easing Loneliness
Engage in a Dialogue Rather Than a Monologue
When visiting with a senior, listen closely to what they say. Some of these individuals simply want someone to pay attention to their sentiments, desires and concerns. They might speak negatively about certain topics and sound depressed about almost everything. Lend a compassionate ear; if they complain about their health, the state of the world, the winter weather or anything else, be empathetic. Remind the seniors in your life that you love them dearly.
Your Time Can Make an Enormous Difference
Remind the senior in your life that you are happy to spend time with them during the holidays. Put on a smile, speak with passion and engage in a dialogue. Your mere presence and willingness to listen just might brighten a senior’s otherwise depressing holiday period. Refrain from checking your smartphone or displaying body language that indicates you are disinterested in spending your time with him/her.
Stay Active During Your Visit
If you run out of conversation topics, do something constructive. Play a board game, work on a crossword puzzle together or bake Christmas cookies. One of the best activities to enjoy with a senior is the creation of holiday cards. You can help create some or bring some that you have purchased. Help hand write unique messages on each one. This activity will reinforce that it is the people who really count during the holidays.
Bring Along the Kids
Seniors may find it refreshing to receive visits from some energetic, smiling children. Be sure that you consider the time of day, physical limitations of the senior as well as temperament of the children when planning a visit. With proper preparation, this type of visit just might help alleviate a senior’s mental, emotional or physical pain for a while, making it the best possible holiday gift.
Arrange Companionship
If you are unable to visit as long as you want, or your loved one will be alone for an extended time, especially when medical conditions exist, arrange for a friend or neighbor to check in on them. Neighborly Home Care offers hourly services or 24-hour care. For clients who need intermittent services, like regular appointments or errands, we offer care in increments of 2 up to 24 hours.
Call Neighborly Home Care for Compassionate Senior Care
Neighborly Home Care’s caregivers are certified nursing assistants or have received equivalent training and passed a nurse aid skills assessment test. Neighborly Home Care wants to make sure that seniors get the best care possible, and also the most affordable in-home care. Neighborly Home Care is a leading home care provider in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester and Delaware County. To learn more about our in-home care services, contact Neighborly Home Care today at 610-658-5822.