Visiting homebound elderly relatives is a great way to build relationships and show love. Unfortunately, it can often be difficult to find the right ways to visit with senior loved ones without feeling like you're patronizing them or making things awkward. In this blog post, we'll explore some reasons for visiting homebound elderly relatives that don't feel contrived - surefire methods for strengthening family ties and validating your senior loved one`s continued importance in your life.
The Need to Visit Homebound Elderly Relatives
When elderly loved ones become homebound, it can offer many challenges. Loss of independence and feeling of isolation are common. Loved ones often want to check in, but they aren't sure how to visit without making it feel awkward or contrived. However, visiting them doesn't have to be a chore. In fact, there are plenty of ways to make visits enjoyable for both parties without any feelings of awkwardness or patronizing behavior.
Reasons to Visit Homebound Elderly Relatives That Don't Feel Patronizing or Contrived
There are lots of opportunities to connect with your loved one that doesn't feel contrived. Try some of these ideas.
- Board or card game nights - Gather the family for a board or card game night. This is a great opportunity to have fun with the entire family, and those who are homebound are often able to participate by playing via video chat or smartphone apps if they can't connect in person.
- To share a meal - Homebound elders usually can't enjoy meals out anymore, so why not come over and bring your favorite dish? Make it festive with decorations and lively conversation.
- Offer help with household tasks – Doing some small chores can mean so much to someone who is living alone. Ask if you could take care of some basic cleaning, mend curtains, do grocery shopping, etc. These acts of kindness bring people closer together while also helping them in their everyday life.
- Celebrate a holiday or special event– Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas can be particularly hard for seniors who are living on their own and who cannot get out of the house. Make sure they still feel included by taking part in celebrations at their home!
- Include elderly loved ones in major life moments--Even though your senior loved one cannot physically attend occasions such as birthday parties, graduations, christenings, etc., take time to connect during such events over Skype or FaceTime calls mentioned above. Feeling connected from afar is important too! Stop in at your loved one's home to share important moments, including engagements and pregnancies, or just to let your loved one see your outfit on your way to those special events.
- Get together to share memories--Share stories from long ago. Take the time to document family stories. These visits are the perfect chance to copy down those memories and use them in the future.
Get Help Caring for Senior Loved Ones in Tulsa
As your loved one ages, it can become increasingly difficult for them to take care of all the tasks that need to be done around the house. At Senior Helpers Tulsa, we provide support for seniors in the Tulsa, McAlester, Broken Arrow, and Sand Springs areas. Our in-home care services can make it much easier for seniors to handle basic self-care tasks. We can also provide in-home companionship services for seniors, which can help increase overall activity and quality of life. Contact us today to learn more.