Do you have an elderly grandparent, relative, or friend who you care deeply about? Perhaps you don’t see or speak to them as much as you’d like. Do you feel there are things you can do to strengthen your relationship?
Below are family caregiver resolutions you can implement at the turn of the year to not only enrich your elderly loved one’s life but also create lasting memories cherished for years to come. Nothing compares to seeing their faces light up with joy at the realization you put them first and made them a priority.
Resolution #1: Prioritize Face-to-Face Quality Time
According to the National Poll on Health Aging, one in three older adults reported infrequent contact (once a week or less) with people from outside their home in 2023. As younger generations, we often don’t consider how lonely our elderly relatives feel on a daily basis. In fact, social isolation among older adults is a real and dangerous phenomenon that can lead to mental health decline, even suicide.
This new year, prioritize spending face-to-face time with your elderly loved one. Craft a calendar to keep yourself accountable to remain consistent and avoid getting off schedule. Also, encourage other family members, such as siblings and grandchildren, to join you. Not only will your senior loved one appreciate the quality time and effort, but these interactions promote mental sharpness and emotional well-being, whether playing games, sharing stories, or simply enjoying each other’s company.
If your senior loved one lives in a different city or state, we recommend utilizing technology such as Zoom or Facetime to interact. Sure, the telephone is a fantastic way to connect, but nothing replaces seeing each other’s smiling faces, and technology allows us to accomplish this, even from afar.
Resolution #2: Craft Handwritten Sentiments
Email communication became mainstream in the 1990s, but long before, families corresponded using good old-fashioned postcards and handwritten notes.
This new year, we recommend writing heartfelt notes to an elderly relative for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions or just to say, “I love you.” These notes can profoundly impact your relationship because they nostalgically remind them of childhood, a time before email and text.
We also suggest you consider writing in cursive, as it seems to be a forgotten art that your elderly loved one may appreciate. Lastly, deliberately pick out stamps that may resonate with their interests and past, such as Elvis Presley or Frank Sinatra.
Resolution #3: Create A Group Photo Album
Do you remember when Grandpa climbed the ladder to hang Christmas lights from the roof? Or when Grandma dressed up as Olivia Newton-John from Greece for Halloween and danced around the living room? Every year, we all have a good chuckle about these classic memories at the annual family reunion, but did you know Uncle Alex has the photos tucked away in some dusty basement dresser?
Instead of simply reminiscing about joyful memories, contact each family member and ask them to compile a handful of their favorite photos for a group family album. Together, you can hand deliver it to your elderly loved one as a present and flip through each page with laughter and joy. Not only is it an incredibly thoughtful gift, preserving precious experiences, but it also provides future generations with a sense of history and connection.
Resolution #4: Ensure Your Elderly Loved One’s Home is Safe
Did you know that, according to the University of Michigan, more than 40 million adults age 50 and older visit an emergency room annually in the United States? What a sad and unfortunate statistic! The last thing you want in the upcoming new year is an unexpected fall from an elderly relative that could have been easily avoidable.
In the modern world of senior care, home technology for seniors is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity that enhances safety, convenience, and overall quality of life. This new year, outfit your elderly loved one’s home with smart devices that monitor health and safety, such as emergency response systems, smart thermostats, electronic medication pill boxes, security systems and video cameras, automated lighting systems, and anti-slip bathrooms. The goal is to create an environment where your loved one can flourish and safely age in place.
Resolution #5: Finally, Get Those Old Family Recipes
Isn’t it curious that the whole family seems available when Grandma makes her famous lasagna? Just thinking about it makes my mouth water… each homemade pasta layer cooked with rich and savory meat sauce simmered to perfection and topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Delizioso!
Whether it’s cornbread, potato latkes, chile rellenos, or whatever delicious delight your elderly loved one has mastered, don’t let these recipes lose their legacy by not getting passed down. After all, family recipes are more than just a collection of ingredients and instructions; each dish carries the love, history, and memories of those who came before us. And by preserving these culinary traditions, we ensure that future generations can enjoy the same delightful flavors and create their own lasting memories around the table. Furthermore, what better way to bond with grandma or grandpa than spending an afternoon in the kitchen together learning the family cookbook?
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article will confirm that family caregiver resolutions can be simple. So, as we approach the new year, let us all strive to make genuine efforts to improve the quality of the lives of our beloved elderly relatives by making them a priority.
For more information on assisted living and memory care in New Orleans, please contact Peristyle Beau West or view our Family Resources page. Our team of expert caregivers is background-checked, screened, and trained, ensuring the safety, independence, and well-being of your elderly loved one. We are excited to meet your family!
