Loneliness is one of the most pressing concerns of elderly people in society. It is getting free time, putting aside all the responsibilities and busyness; we consider them as free birds. But in reality, loneliness leaves a blankness in their minds. Their lives are confined inside the house. They are supposed to stay away from old friendships and gatherings. Without doing what they used to do; the thought that they are not healthy enough to run, the difficulty of having to depend on others, all this will lead them to further despair. So here are a few ways to make our elderly parents and others in our homes happier and warmer.
1. Make Garden
The thought that there is nothing to do to build a garden often leads older people to further despair. To change that, get other adults in the house together and build a garden or vegetable garden. They can be given the task of watering it and so on. Also, you can join them in gardening. If possible, it would be good to provide some facilities so that the elderly can sit.
2. Let’s Cook Together
The delicious foods of yesteryear and their cooking methods are often alien to the new generation. So once a week or once a month try to cook something that was made in the past. If the parents are healthy, they can be handed over to their elderly parents and others can be there to help them. Or you can bring them into your kitchen and learn cooking techniques from them. This will bridge the gap between the elders and the younger generation and help shape more conversation styles.
3. Allow Sharing Past Experiences
Our grandparents have many experiences that they experienced and went through during their youth. Perhaps they have experiences to tell a movie story. It is important to allow them to be heard. If we put our phones away for a while, we can overcome the ‘no time’ situation.
4. Be Creative
Older people can find activities to energize them so they don’t feel bored. Some may like to cook, some may like to read, others may know sewing, candle making and so on. If they are allowed to use those skills, they can avoid falling into despair to some extent.
Small ways like these can bridge the gap between the elders and the new generation and warm family relationships. Remember, elderly parents should never become a burden on us. Let us understand that tomorrow we too have to go through this situation and try to set good examples for the new generation.