Tips to Help You Help Senior Relatives

When you have elderly relatives, whether they are parents, grandparents, or aunts and uncles, it can be worrying when they are no longer able to look after themselves in the same way that they once did. You want to do everything you can to help them, but often you don’t even know where to begin, which is why I’ve put together some tips to help you help your senior relatives whenever they need it.

Listen to them

One of the most important things you can do for your senior relatives is giving them the courtesy of listening to them. They may be older, but unless they have a mental impairment like Alzheimer’s, they are still the person best able to know what they want and need. So, although you might think you know what’s best for them, don’t make decisions without their input if at all possible.

Advocate them

Whether it’s asking their doctor for a second opinion on some worrying symptoms or calling in a nursing home abuse attorney when you think they have been mistreated, one of the best things you can do for your older relatives is to stand in their corner and fight for them when they may be less able to fight for themselves. Just knowing they don’t have to go it alone; that you will always be there to help them, will mean more to them than you could ever imagine.

Check in on them regularly

One of the simplest things you can do to take care of your senior family members is simply to check in on them and see how they are doing as often as possible. Not only will this help to prevent them from falling into a pit of loneliness, which is very common in older people, but it will also mean that if their health starts to deteriorate, you will be more likely to spot it happening and encourage them to get timely help.

Encourage them to stay active

Many older people withdraw from going out and engaging with the world which can lead to a swift decline, so be sure to encourage them to head to the senior center for a game of bingo or to come on a walk on the beach with you or whatever as often as possible.

Take good care of yourself

If you are caring for senior relatives, it is really important that you don’t overdo it, and that you take regular time out for self-care. After all, if you aren’t in good shape, then you won’t be of much use when it comes to helping them. So, whether you like long walks in the park, meditating in the garden, or reading a good book in the bath, make sure that you have plenty of time to just be.

Helping senior relatives can be tricky and it can often feel like a thankless task, but they have looked after you and, as you can see, helping them in their time of need doesn’t have to be nearly as tough as you imagined.