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Senior citizens are the forgotten members of our society. Because growing old is something none of us want to think about, let alone do, we often block them out of our minds. None of us wants to face our futures, especially if it means we won’t be able to everything for ourselves one day. In our lives, we go full circle, starting out dependent upon someone to take care of us, and ending up that way. The problem is, babies are cute and adorable and elderly people make us feel uncomfortable due to the fact that we don’t really know how to act around them. Senior citizens are people too, however, and we can all help ease them through this last part of their lives and give them the same love we give to newborn babies, after all, they deserve it.
You probably know where your local retirement home or nursing home is. It’s the place we try not to look at when we drive by. There are so many things you can do to help the elderly and if you do try and volunteer a bit of your time, you may find that they are not so scary after all. Many of these people are forgotten by their families and resources at these homes can be limited. When our grandfather was in a nursing home, we found that there was a great demand for blankets, the residents were constantly fighting over them. Elderly people have trouble keeping their bodies warm and blankets are important. If you can crochet, you can make a few blankets each year to bring to your local home or you could start a crochet club where you and a group of friends get together to chat and knit or crochet blankets for the elderly.
If you can’t sew or crochet, get some yarn and a hook and head on down to the nursing home. You will not have to search long before you find a resident who can teach you how to make a beautiful blanket and it will make them feel useful, give them some company and a nice warm blanket in the end.
Seniors are often bored. There isn’t very much to do and visits are usually seldom. You can make someone’s day just by sitting down for a chat from time to time. Bring a thermos of coffee and a newspaper and offer to read the day’s headlines. Senior citizens often have trouble seeing and hearing the news can feel like a blessing, especially if there are only a few televisions in the home. Your church or children’s group will often be welcome for demonstrations, puppet shows, singing concerts or even a band performance. These events give seniors something to look forward to and interaction with other people is so important to help keep them from being isolated.
Food in nursing homes can get to be dull and you can help spice up an elderly person’s appetite from time to time by bringing in treats of homemade cookies, cakes, breads and other things that aren’t usually served at the home. Ask the residents while you are there what they would most like to have and bring it with you next time you visit.
These small things don’t cost much money and can mean a world of difference in an otherwise dreary day when you are stuck someplace you can’t get out of and your family is too busy to visit. Remember, you may be in their place someday, just wishing for any small diversion in your day.
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