If you have an elderly loved one, whether they’re living in an assisted living facility or are still in their own home, it’s very likely that there are times when they feel lost or forgotten. Because the world we all live in now feels so fast paced, for those who move a little bit slower, it’s easy to feel like you’re being left behind. But when you love someone in this demographic, it’s up to you to find ways to help them know that they are loved, remembered, and cherished.
If this is something that you may not have been as good about recently, here are three ways that you can make your elderly loved one feel special.
Help Them To Look And Feel Good
As our bodies age, it’s natural for them to look and feel different. But just because things might not be in the same places they once were or come as easily as they did in the past doesn’t mean that you can’t help your elderly loved one both look and feel good now, too.
If this is something that you think your elderly loved one would appreciate, try to find a way to help them see themselves as you see them. This might mean giving them a loving haircut, helping them put on a little makeup, getting some new clothes, or just helping them get a little exercise. All of these things can help anyone of any age look and feel better.
Respect Their Decisions And Wishes
Something that many older people struggle with, especially as they have a harder time caring for themselves, is having their decisions and wishes respected. In some situations, it’s easier to just handle things yourself in the way that you think things should be handled. But for your elderly loved one, this can make them feel worthless and powerless.
Luckily, by giving your elderly loved one choices and allowing them to make decisions about things they can have control over, you can begin to help them get back a bit of their power. Especially for things that don’t have a big impact, like on what they want to eat for dinner or what to wear that day, letting them have a say can help them to feel special and respected.
Participate In Activities They Enjoy
When someone remembers something that you’ve told them and then references back to that thing at a later date, it will automatically make that person feel good.
To do this with your elderly loved one, consider planning a special event for them surrounding something that you know they enjoy. Make their favorite treat together, go to an event you know they’ll love, dance to their favorite song, or anything else that you know will make them happy and show that you have listened and care about them.
If you want to work harder at helping your elderly loved one to feel special, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you find some ways that this can be done.
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