How To Help Your Aging Parents Beat the Senior Loneliness

Cristine Felt - 29 May 19

Loneliness is a terrible thing, and elders, unfortunately, suffer from it quite often. They might have lost a partner or best friend, and it is not that easy for them to recover in their age. However, they are still lucky to have you, and you should be the one who helps them live a more exciting life. Here are a few suggestions which will, hopefully, help your parents in beating loneliness.

Try to visit them whenever you can

Even if you have a super busy schedule, you should find space to visit your parent once a week. Or once a month, at least. However, if you live too far away, you can call them more often and spend a precious couple of minutes with them on the phone or Skype. Especially if they started feeling lonely due to loss of their partner or dear friend. You are their most beloved person, and they’ll always appreciate when you visit or call them. And it’s not that hard to achieve.

Encourage them to socialize

Elders are usually aware of their loneliness, but they often lose their contacts and connections. Or they might think that they are not attractive to anyone anymore. But that is not true, and you should take effort to encourage them to socialize. You are the one who knows their interests and passions. Therefore, find organizations or clubs where they could have fun! For instance, they might be good chess or bridge players, and you can find a club where they can play those games.

Hire professional caregivers

Taking care of your parents’ health is a priority. However, starting a conversation about aged care might be difficult because elders usually don’t want to admit they need supervision at all. But, you have to explain how important health care is, and also, how good it could be to have a constant medical companion in terms of social life. Afterward, ask them what kind of help they would prefer. Possibilities are multiple – you can hire a senior placement agency to find them a new home or arrange home care service, or you can organize regular visits to the hospital. All these options are excellent and point out that they should be thankful to live in a modern age where all these possibilities are available.

Take them to events occasionally

Your parents might miss going to listen to their favorite singer, or watching movies they like. Why don’t you surprise them and buy two tickets for the cinema or a concert? Make them happy and be their companion! You already know what their affinities and passions are. Hence, search for that kind of event, buy tickets, and arrange transportation as soon as possible. If your father is an old football fan, he will be more than happy to see his favorite club live again. On the other hand, your mother might love watching good opera. Provide her the best seats and enjoy it together with her.

Motivate them to use technology

Sometimes, elders don’t have the will to learn about using a computer, smartphone, or any other technological device. And that is understandable. However, we know that devices could be beneficial. Therefore, you have two things to explain to them. First, convince them in their ability to learn despite their age, and second, show them how it works and why is it so useful. After that, they will love having a computer or smartphone with a good camera. Or it might open their eyes when they learn how to use Google search and read their favorite newspaper online.

Always keep in mind that your parents might love doing things they did before, despite their age. Therefore, try to fulfill their wishes, and also, try to surprise them occasionally. They will love to see that for sure!

Cristine Felt

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