If you have elderly friends or neighbors that you want to be able to help and develop strong relationships with, the last few years have likely been quite the challenge for you. In the fear of getting or spreading illness, many people have chosen to stay away from the elderly people in their life. However, this has left many seniors feeling lost and forgotten. Luckily, there are things you can start doing now that will help to rekindle these relationships and have your loved ones see just how much you care for them.
To help you in doing this, here are three ways you can offer meaningful service to your elderly friends and neighbors.
Visit Them, Regardless Of Where They Live
Now that many restrictions have been lifted around the world, you can now visit your elderly loved ones, regardless of where they might be living. While some places will still have rules and restrictions in place, like assisted living communities, it’s always good to reach out to your elderly loved ones to see if you can set up a time or date to see them.
Especially if your elderly loved one lives close to you or is a neighbor, try to make plans to stop and see them often. By doing this, you’ll be able to notice if they’re needing additional help or if there are needs that aren’t being met that you can assist with.
Be A Listening Ear
Whether you’re able to physically be with your elderly loved one or not, you can always be a listening ear for them.
For seniors who might not be able to leave their house much or have a smaller social circle than they once did, finding someone to talk to and just have a conversation with can be a real blessing. So if you’re looking for a way to serve your elderly loved one, allowing them to share their stories and their life with you can be a great way to do this.
Perform Acts Of Service
There are plenty of other acts of service that you can do for any elderly people in your area, whether you know them personally or not.
For those who are in your community, just being on the lookout for them can be incredibly helpful. If you notice something that could be a hazard to them, try to get this taken care of so that they can safely live in your community. And for elderly people that you know on a more personal level, dropping off food or gifts can be a great service. Additionally, if you notice things around their house that are being neglected or forgotten about, pitching in in this way can be a helpful service as well.
If you’re wanting to offer more service to the elderly people in your life or your community, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you learn ways that this can be done.