How to Help Seniors in Your Community Who Don’t Live Near Family

Article Written by: Beverly Nelson of Stand Up for Caregivers

As we get older, we rely more and more on help from our community. For many older adults, this help comes from family; but some seniors don’t have any family members living nearby. It can be significantly harder for this demographic to find the care and support they need to thrive. Fortunately, there’s plenty that community members like you can do to help.

With Seniors In Mind lists some simple, effective ways you can help the seniors in your community live their best lives:

Good Gifts for Seniors

Thinking of getting a senior neighbor a gift? These may be the perfect fit:

●       If you know they have a task they’ve been wanting to do around the house, offer to do it for them while they chat and relax.

●       Is their to-do list filled with tasks you don’t have the skills or tools for, like having furniture cleaned? You can also hire professional furniture cleaners to knock it out for them. Make sure to compare reviews and offerings among different providers beforehand.

●       Experiences, such as art classes or museum tours, can be another great gift for seniors.

The Power of Socialization

Seniors need company -- your presence can be a more powerful tool than you realize.

●       Social interaction is strongly linked with better long-term mental and physical health for seniors.

●       Visiting regularly can help older adults stay active, as well as give you the chance to notice any self-care red flags or signs they need more help.

●       Consider asking them to go on walks or outings with you in order to give them opportunities to get out of the house and do some gentle exercise.

An Eye for Safety

Finally, consider watching out for your senior friends’ wellbeing:

●       Many older adults are aging in place in homes that weren’t designed with senior needs in mind.

●       Ask your senior friend if they need any simple accommodations in their home, such as grab bars or ramps and, if so, offer to help get them installed.

●       If your senior friend is struggling to navigate their home safely, consider talking to them about whether or not a senior-designed space may make their life easier.

Although this is far from a complete list of ways you can help older adults in your life, it’s a good place to start. These are some of the most common tasks that tend to fall to family members, and, therefore, great places to step up if you know family isn’t nearby. We hope this article gives you the tools to become the person your senior friends need.

Photo Credit: Pexels

With Seniors In Mind is home to the Senior Living Sustainability Guide® (SLSG), providing information for users on the different stages of senior living project development. Find out more today! (410) 461-7763