Serving the Elderly. When I was a little girl, my mother took one of my sister’s and I to a senior assisted living home, where we “adopted” two elderly ladies to be our “grandmas”. One of them was named Olga, and I can’t remember the other’s name. We would go visit these two occasionally, and learn about their lives.
My mother informed me that she had previously asked some of the employees at this care center, if there were a couple of residents, who didn’t get regular visitors, who would really enjoy our company. The employees had given my mother those two ladies names.
Last month I volunteered at a senior assisted living home near my house, a couple of times. In the short time I was there, I was able to meet some amazing people. One of my favorite residents there was Hazel. She was so happy and so kind, and had the best outlook on life. I asked her questions about her family, and she held my hand, while she doted on her nieces, whom she absolutely adores. I decided then and there that I wanted to adopt Hazel as my own children’s “grandma”. I told her a little about my children, and she asked me, THREE times, to bring them back to meet her. I promised her I would, and I plan to keep that promise.
While Hazel and I were talking, she told me that she loves horses. I told my daughters about Hazel and they are excited to draw her pictures of horses that she can hang in her room. After Hazel and I were done talking, I went and talked to some of the ladies that work at the nursing home, just like my mother did so many years ago. I asked if there were other residents who didn’t get many visitors, and could really use the company. They told me about some of the ladies at the facility, the best times to come visit, some of the resident’s favorite goodies, and some of their interests.
If you aren’t exactly sure how to serve the elderly in an assisted living center, or where to start, just ask the employees, and I’m sure they will offer plenty of suggestions and advice.
Who are the Elderly?
Typically anyone over the age of 65 is considered elderly, but some elderly are in need of more help than others, depending on their health and circumstances. Look around, they could be your neighbors, friends, grandparents, parents, relatives, or seniors at an assisted living center.
Why Serve the Elderly?
We all benefit from each other. Through service, we can help the elderly feel a sense of purpose, which also helps us to feel a sense of purpose. The elderly can share valuable stories and lessons with us. Learn from their life lessons and experiences. They can help offer a new perspective for our own lives. I remember when I was in high school, I was driving in a car with four elderly women from my church group for a couple of hours. I sat there in silence, listening to all their stories, and trials. This gave me an appreciation for my own life, and the trials I was going through.
Helping the elderly can also give their family hope. In the first house my husband and I lived in, there was an elderly lady next door, whom we love dearly. She was constantly serving us, and we were constantly serving her. Her family didn’t live near, and would often tell us how grateful they were to have us helping her.
We serve the elderly to help improve their quality of life, offer social support, and a sense of community, which, in return, does all of these things for us as well. We show appreciation to them through service. We also serve the elderly to help alleviate feelings of isolation and depression that they may be experiencing. By getting to know them, we can gain a sense of their values, and the value systems of their youth.
How to Serve the Elderly?
There are so many ways to serve, and we believe that the easiest way is also the one that makes the most impact…to just SIT and LISTEN to them. Let them reminisce, let them complain, let them be heard. Discover their passions and skills so that you are better able to serve them.
Below is a list of simple ways you can serve the elderly:
Sit and listen to them
Take them a meal
Play board games with them
Teach them a new skill
Allow them to teach you a new skill
Sing or play an instrument for them
Bring them goodies/drink
Pamper them (do their hair, face masks, etc)
Run errands for them
Take them to dr appointments
Read to them
Bring your children to visit them
Hold their hand
Help them record their life story (check out THIS printable for questions to ask)
Do an art project with them
Do a service project with them, like tying quilts or making baby blankets to donate.
Decorate their door, room, front yard for special occasions like their birthday
Assist with house work
Assist with yard work
Teach them internet and/or computer skills
Help them set up a social media account so they can stay connected to their families
Bring photographs for them to look at
Check out THIS post on how teenagers can serve the elderly. Check out THIS post on how children can serve the elderly.
Let's serve the elderly!
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