Family members often flood seniors’ homes during the holidays.

There is hustle, bustle and reminiscing for a few weeks in December. Unfortunately, once visitors return to their busy schedules or fly off to their homes, seniors are left feeling lonely. November through January can be a tough time for older adults. An empty home after the holidays can be a stark reminder of loved ones’ that have past.

There are small things you can do to let your aging loved one know they have not been forgotten.

If You Live Out of Town:

  1. Video Chat
  2. Write Letters To One Another
  3. Schedule a Weekly Phone Call
  4. Send A Small Gift
  5. Schedule A Trip/Visit They Can Look Forward To

If You Live in Town:

  1. Schedule A Weekly Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner Date
  2. Call Out of Town Relatives Together
  3. Help Them Write Letters to Loved Ones
  4. Schedule A Trip/Visit They Can Look Forward To

Health-Related Questions to Ask:

  1. When was your last doctor’s appointment?
  2. Did you feel like your doctor listened to you?
  3. When was the last time you went out to breakfast/dinner with a friend or family member?
  4. How are you feeling?
  5. Are your caregivers treating you well?

Conversation Starters:

  1. Did you go to college? What did you study? If you didn’t go to college, do you wish you had had the opportunity? What did you do instead?
  2. Did you have any pets growing up?
  3. Did you live in a house or an apartment? What was it like? What was your room like?
  4. Do you know any stories about the history of the family name or the origins of the family?
  5. How many brothers and sisters do you have? What are their names? What do you remember about them from growing up?
  6. How did you meet your spouse? How old were you when you met/got engaged/got married? What was the wedding like?
  7. What are the most difficult and most rewarding things about growing older?
  8. What big world events were the most memorable while you were growing up?
  9. What did you want to be when you grew up?
  10. What do you remember about your parents? Your grandparents?
  11. What do you want your children and grandchildren to remember about you?
  12. What kinds of clothes, hobbies, slang terms were popular when you were a teenager?
  13. What life advicewould you pass along to your grandchildren?
  14. What was your favorite thing about school? Least favorite? What were your friends like? Who was your favorite teacher, and what was your favorite subject?
  15. What were your children like when they were growing up?
  16. What were your favorite games and hobbies? Did you play any sports? What else did you do for fun?
  17. What was your first job? What was your favorite job?
  18. What’s your favorite book or movie and why? What was your favorite when you were young?
  19. Where and when were you born? Did your parents ever share their memories with you about the day you were born?
  20. Who were your heroes or role models when you were young?

 

For family members who live out of town, weekly phone calls are a simple way to support your older loved and their caregivers! When a patient is in good spirits, this positively affects caregivers as well. Family caregivers and home care staff will appreciate the time you take to let your loved one know they are loved and remembered.

Weekly calls or visits can inform family members of their aging loved one’s well-being. It is a simple way to notice a cough, tiredness, and other health issues that you may want to discuss with the caregiver or home health staff to stay in the loop.

It takes a village at all stages of life!

We all need support, empathy, and one another’s time. Simple acts of kindness can have major impacts on mental health and outlook. Feelings of companionship can even improve overall physical health!