Almost all families will have elderly relatives. If you are entering middle age, these could be your aging parents who have entered retirement and are beginning to enjoy their senior years. You may also have great-grandparents if you are a younger person or aunts and uncles who are now entering the later stages of life. These special relatives are likely to have been supportive as you were growing up, and you may have fond memories of family gatherings where you listened attentively as older family members told stories of their formative years. It is easy for elderly relatives to be forgotten in later life. Adults may spend all their efforts cultivating a meaningful career and looking after their own families. However, it is vitally important to include elderly relatives in your life and to be able to show appreciation for their input into family life. In this article, some key ways to show appreciation for elderly relatives will be discussed.
Stay in contact
It is estimated that around one in three elderly people feel lonely or isolated, according to statistics from the World Health Organization. Often, this is because they have lost a partner to old age or ill health and now live alone. Other elderly relatives may live at a significant distance from other family members, making in-person visits difficult to organize on a regular basis. In these circumstances, technology can assist in allowing frequent and meaningful communication to take place (and therefore demonstrating your appreciation for these elderly relatives). Free video conferencing software such as Skype and WhatsApp can be downloaded to smartphones and laptops to enable video calls with elderly relatives. If your relatives have difficulty installing and setting up these apps, assist them with this when you next meet them. Having a weekly video chat can be an excellent way to stay in touch, inform them of the latest family developments, and show that you care.
Remember their special events
As people age and become elderly citizens, the importance of recognizing their special events, such as birthdays and anniversaries, takes on extra significance. A thoughtful gift delivered to their home to mark their special day can make them feel appreciated and loved. If your elderly relatives live a distance away and you have a special gift for them, send it using a trusted parcel delivery firm such as Shiply. Delivery firms such as this will ensure that the parcel arrives on or before the day of their special event and will be able to provide the service at a competitive price. In some cases, using a shipping firm is more cost-effective than relying on your national postal service for bulky items, and you may even be able to specify the required date of arrival.
Personalized gifts
Keeping on the subject of special events and milestones for elderly relatives, an excellent way to show your love and appreciation for them is by giving a personalized gift. This could be something that you have made yourself if you are an arts and crafts fan or something that can be bought online before being personalized at the checkout. Think about the hobbies and interests of your elderly loved one when looking for gifts. For example, if you have a relative who loves to play or watch golf, a personalized mug with a golfing theme could be the ideal gift or Christmas stocking filler. In addition, many websites specialize in personalized or unusual gifts that are aimed at senior citizens. Sites such as Etsy have a wide range of handmade gifts that can be personalized with heartfelt messages or made unique by adding relatives’ names to the product. Take the time to think about what your loved one enjoys and what they often talk about when making your decision.
Help them cultivate hobbies
Many elderly people find that they have an abundance of free time in later life. Normally, they will have retired from their careers in their mid to late sixties and will no longer need to spend the working week holding down a job. It is important to recognize that free time must be used productively or there is a risk of suffering from extended periods of boredom, which can lead to frustration. Speak to your elderly loved ones and find out if they are cultivating meaningful hobbies and pastimes. If they have started a hobby, show that you care by buying them some equipment to allow them to undertake the activity. For instance, if they have started to take part in arts and crafts, buy them some crafting supplies and essential equipment from your local crafting store. If they are not currently cultivating meaningful hobbies, give them suggestions on what to try. Many elderly people find that they enjoy researching family trees, enjoying various forms of art or even learning to play a musical instrument. Such pastimes can be incredibly stimulating and rewarding. Put simply, helping your loved ones cultivate these hobbies is an ideal way to show your appreciation for them.
