Seniors make up an essential aspect of family dynamics. They bring stability and balance to the family.
However, with age, they may feel left out, sad and depressed. Many seniors also complain of sleep loss and weight loss issues due to lack of happiness.
This is unfortunate, but there is a silver lining. You can keep your elderly happy and motivated with the tips mentioned below. Yes, these tips work like a charm, so you might want to take notes!
Give Advice Only When Needed
Parents have coached and advised their children throughout their lives. So, hearing advice from a child, even an adult child, might not be so easy for them.
It is best to avoid advising unless you are sure it was needed. More so, it is better to have an outside advisor. The fact is, it is possible to offer encouragement and support without giving advice.
Listen to the Elderly
This couldn’t be simpler – listen to your elderly. Do not interrupt or try to fill in the silence between conversations. By listening, we mean understanding what they have to say and react accordingly.
Remember, listening can go both ways and can strengthen the bond quickly, so speak less and listen more!
It’s Okay to Agree to Disagree
No matter how close-knit a family may be, not everyone will agree with you all the time. The good thing is to respect the opinions of others in the same way that you would like your own. Don’t ignore those who disagree with you. When necessary, listen to all sides and seek compromise.
Have Clear Conversations
Many older adults don’t like to admit they have difficulty hearing or understanding the conversations around them. In such a case, keep calm and speak in a matter-of-fact manner.
If necessary, speak louder but don’t shout. You must also avoid mumbling or talking too fast. It would help to keep your thoughts focused on one thing at a given time and keep sentences concise and straightforward.
You could also try phrasing the message differently or using different words if your loved one still has trouble understanding.
Don’t Be Patronizing
Be careful not to appear condescending when you increase the volume or slow down your speech pattern. Don’t treat your parents as if they were a child, even if they have dementia or severe hearing loss. Patronizing your parents is a surefire way of starting an argument, something you’d regret later.
Make Sure You Talk to them At Right Places
Avoid having essential or in-depth conversations in noisy environments with distracting or competing activities. You can also reduce the volume or turn off the TV/radio while talking to them.
Also, talk to the elderly face-to-face. There is no point growing your phone and pretending to talk. Seniors can spot fake talks, and they hate it. Moreover, genuine conversations will allow them to pick up on your facial expressions and even read your lips if necessary.
If you are talking in a group, ensure that the elder does not sit at the edge or end of a table. It is best to place them in the middle of the table so that they can still hear the conversation.
Prioritize The Care
As they age, many seniors face increasing body challenges, such as mobility limitations, diminished stamina, loneliness, and memory problems. Although your ultimate goal is to improve their health, it can be difficult and embarrassing to tackle every issue simultaneously. Instead, prioritize the issues that you wish to address and celebrate each small victory.
Good food is the mantra to good health. So, also ensure they consume a healthy diet. When caring for them, make sure you have some great recipes for your elderly parents.
Laugh Together!
They say laughter is the best medicine, and we couldn’t agree more. Even in stressful situations, there are often funny moments one can find easily. Make sure the elderly are open to having fun and not taking things too seriously.
A shared laugh can help ease tension and strengthen relationships with loved ones. Also, be sure to share your laughter with your family and not with them.
Final Word
Taking care of your seniors should be your top priority. We’re sure the tips mentioned above will help. In fact, now you can get paid to take care of disabled family members through their Medicaid plans.