Loneliness is really common amongst older people who maybe are not working anymore, dealing with various illnesses, and who find themselves increasingly isolated from the communities around them.
As you can imagine, this makes life really hard for older people who can develop mental health issues like depression, as well as elevated levels of cognitive decline, due to spending most of their time alone.
That is why it is so important that you do what you can to help your elderly parents stave off loneliness as best they can. Below, you will find some of the best ways to do just that, and help your parents to have the best quality of life they possibly can.
Call them often
One of the easiest ways to ensure that your parents do not feel too lonely is to call and voice chat with them regularly. This will help to keep them feeling connected to the world, and ensure that they always have someone to talk to, even if they are alone at home.
If they do not know how to use a phone, then get the grandkids to teach them and it will be a fun bonding experience that will open up their world.
Visits them often too
Encourage friends and family members to visit your elderly parent regularly, and of course, make sure you see them at regular intervals too. Even something as simple as taking them out for a quiet bite of lunch or going for a walk in the park each weekend will be enough to lift their spirits and leave them feeling more connected with the people around them.
It’s not always easy, but finding the time to see your elderly parents will mean the world to them, and it will mean you don’t have to worry about them so much too.
Encourage them to volunteer
Volunteering can be a great way for older people to connect with others and feel a sense of purpose in their lives after they have retired, which is why so many seniors are so active in their community and why you should encourage yours to be too.
No matter whether they are great at gardening or good with animals, there will be lots of ways they can help, and most organizations will be delighted to have them and support them to volunteer as much or little as they can manage in any way they can.
Invite them to your events
A lot of younger people are guilty of not inviting parents and grandparents to various events because they think they are too old to enjoy them, but actually, seniors are just like everyone else and they might love that all-night dance party or that child’s birthday celebration just as much as anyone else, so never leave them out; always offer an invitation and let them decide if they would lie to come along or not. They’ll feel much more loved and included if you do, and if they do come along, then you’ll have the chance to make even more fun memories with them, so everyone wins!
Get them to join a club
Encourage your elderly parents to join clubs or groups in their local community that will see them engaging with new people. This could be anything from a book club or a hobby group or a walking club. It doesn’t matter as long as it’s an activity they will enjoy that enables them to meet lots of new people. Find the details and talk to them about it in an encouraging way and they might just join up.
Consider helping them get a pet
Dogs and cats are not for everyone but if your elderly parents are animal lovers and they are capable of taking care of one, helping them to get a pet of their own could be a good way to provide them with some extra companionship and have then going out more (in the case of a dog who needs walked) so they can meet other people in the neighborhood too.
Help them learn to use technology
Consider providing your elderly parent with technology, such as a tablet or computer, to help them stay connected to friends and family and to access information and entertainment. This will give them the ability to connect with others much more than before, and they might even make a friend or two along the way.
Check out your local library
Many local libraries offer programs for elderly individuals, such as book clubs, craft classes, and computer courses. Encourage your folks to attend these programs and they will almost certainly make new connections and have a lot of fun learning new things along the way, too.
Encourage them to attend church
Religious activities, such as going to church, can provide a source of comfort and community for your elderly parent if they believe, So, why not help them scope out local churches when you next visit? If you can find one they like, then they might just start going, and they will have a ready-built community around them, looking out for them when you aren’t around.
Write them letters
It might be old school, but writing letters to your parents is sure to go down well. They’ll love getting an unexpected piece of correspondence in the mail and taking their time to read all of the latest family news before compositing a letter of their own.
Not only will this help them to feel less lonely, but it’s a good way to keep tabs in their wellbeing because the tone of their letters and what they tell you they have done since you last wrote, will tell you a whole lot about how they are doing mentally and physically.
Encourage your elderly parent to write letters to friends and family members. This could be a great way for them to stay connected and practice their writing skills.
Look into community transportation
Many communities offer transportation services for elderly individuals who maybe cannot get around so easily because they are too ill or infirm to drive. These services can be life-changing for people who are older and feel a bit lonely because, not only does it make it possible for them to get out of the house and see a show or visit friends, but they are also very likely to make new friends on the bus too.
Look into home care services
Home care services can provide additional companionship and support for your elderly parent. Consider hiring a home care worker who can assist with daily tasks and provide conversation and friendship. You might even want to think about suggesting a nursing home if your parents would be open to it, as they are a ready-made community of new friends and have lots of fun activities on offer every day for the residents to get involved in.
Encourage the grandchildren to get involved
If your elderly parents are feeling lonely, then getting the grandchildren to get more involved with them, video calling, emailing, going to stay when they have time off school, for example, can be a great way to lift their spirits and teach your kids the value of kindness and spending tie with older people, too.
Loneliness is a really common issue among elderly individuals, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. By providing support and encouraging your elderly parent to connect with others, in some of the ways listed above, you can help them feel less lonely and more connected to the world around them, which will enable them to live their best life at every age.
