Tips: How to Engage with the Elderly
I am rather fortunate to have a very curious mother. She uses Iphones and Ipads and spends considerable time on social media and photo editing apps. One time, she came across an article on Facebook about the tragic passing of the designer of one of her favourite labels: Kate Spade. Kate Spade is still an existing brand creating delightful collections of affordable, high quality and beautifully designed bags and accessories. My mother was bothered about this news. She told me that she talked to my dad about Kate Spade; she asked, "Why would a person who has everything, success and money as reward for her talent and hard work, go so soon?"
My dad said, "In her mind, she is lonely, unspeakable unhappiness."
So my mom asked my dad, "Are you lonely?"
Dad said, "That's why you always have to talk to me."
I knew about this conversation because I would call my mom daily. When less busy, I would chat with her for hours online. We talk about everything, the mundane things in life mostly.
Both my parents are now elderly, retired.
Since then, I would think about ways to engage my parents as much as I can, I hope you won't mind me sharing my ideas. Here they are:
1. I'd tell my parents to watch certain movies. My most highly recommended genres are adaptations of history, "coming of age" and romantic comedies.
2. I'd tell my dad to read certain books and I'd share with him books I've read to encourage him to read.
3. I'd tell them to go for long drives. My dad is having a harder time hearing now. So car conversations are valuable, less disruptive background noises in a car.
4. I'd encourage them to go overseas, visit family. Be with grandchildren.
5. I would encourage dad and mom to write. My mom writes of course - little prose on Social Media. I'd encourage my dad to write about his work experience. He has a rich and impressive history in his chosen field.
6. I would call them as much as I can and create email and Facebook reminders about drinking water or paying their bills.
Most importantly, I would tease my mother and do scary pranks to my dad. We would have a few minutes of eye-watering laughter.
My dad said, "In her mind, she is lonely, unspeakable unhappiness."
So my mom asked my dad, "Are you lonely?"
Dad said, "That's why you always have to talk to me."
I knew about this conversation because I would call my mom daily. When less busy, I would chat with her for hours online. We talk about everything, the mundane things in life mostly.
Both my parents are now elderly, retired.
Since then, I would think about ways to engage my parents as much as I can, I hope you won't mind me sharing my ideas. Here they are:
1. I'd tell my parents to watch certain movies. My most highly recommended genres are adaptations of history, "coming of age" and romantic comedies.
2. I'd tell my dad to read certain books and I'd share with him books I've read to encourage him to read.
3. I'd tell them to go for long drives. My dad is having a harder time hearing now. So car conversations are valuable, less disruptive background noises in a car.
4. I'd encourage them to go overseas, visit family. Be with grandchildren.
5. I would encourage dad and mom to write. My mom writes of course - little prose on Social Media. I'd encourage my dad to write about his work experience. He has a rich and impressive history in his chosen field.
6. I would call them as much as I can and create email and Facebook reminders about drinking water or paying their bills.
Most importantly, I would tease my mother and do scary pranks to my dad. We would have a few minutes of eye-watering laughter.
