Life can often stand in the way of quality time with family. For instance, you might be working towards your dream career, wrapped up in a relationship, or focused on traveling the world while you’re young.
All the above is important and should be a priority to you, but you should try to set time aside for your nearest and dearest when possible, especially elderly grandparents. Also, you may even want to help them live a happier lifestyle to ensure they make the most of their golden years.
The acts don’t need to be time-consuming or complex, but they could make a dramatic difference in their quality of life. Here are four top tips on how to help your aging grandparents.
Visit Regularly
A busy social life, a demanding career, or intense studies may take over every second of your day. As a result, you might feel tempted to put your family on the back burner. Yet, you can trust you will never regret setting an hour aside each week or month to enjoy some quality time with one or more aging grandparents.
Your visit could brighten their day and even prevent them from feeling lonely, socially isolated, and depressed. If you can’t visit in person each week, set five minutes aside to give them a call, learn about their day, and listen to them. You might be surprised by the impact it will have on their mood and outlook.
Review Their Safety
When visiting your grandparent’s home, review their environment to ensure they are safe when walking from A to B, climbing stairs, or cooking. For instance, assess if there are trip hazards, exposed wires, loose floorboards, mold patches, or hazardous materials.
Also, pay close attention to how they act, if they have sustained any wounds or bruising, or if they’re managing to perform everyday tasks. If you notice they are acting out of character or are struggling physically, it might be a sign they need more support in the home.
As a result, you may need to discuss with other family members about alternative care arrangements. For instance, your grandparent could benefit from mobility aids, such as stairlifts and grab rails. Alternatively, they may be happier and safer in a senior living community in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The latter will ensure they receive around-the-clock care that can adapt to their needs as they age.
Introduce New Hobbies
If your grandparent spends their days staring at a TV screen, you should encourage hobbies to ensure they remain mentally stimulated. One or more hobbies could protect an aging loved one from cognitive decline and ensure they are happy and healthy for many years to come.
Introduce them to new activities that might make them turn off the TV and enjoy a fun pastime. For example, they might love:
- Reading a new book
- Completing puzzles
- Painting
- Tackling jigsaws
- Knitting
Teach Them How to Use Technology
Many seniors struggle to use a smartphone, tablet, or PC, but learning how to do so could transform their daily lives. As their grandchild, you’re the ideal person to teach them how to use technology, such as how to make a video call, browse the internet, or make medical appointments online. With your help, they could soon make video calls to loved ones, shop online, learn about a new subject, or order prescriptions at the click of a button.
