Meaningful Ways To Honor A Senior Citizen In Your Life

Senior citizens have lived decades longer than most of the younger generation. They’ve gone through many different difficulties and life situations that have taught them important lessons along the way.

Our elderly can offer guidance when we are going through our own difficulties in life. They may have experienced similar situations to ours and have a good idea how we should approach our problems. 

It is somewhat ironic that change is the only constant thing in life. No matter how much we might not want change to happen, it inevitably will. Change is often stressful and takes time to get used to.

However, with the help of senior adults, we might just be able to cope with change better. Older adults have gone through a series of changes in the span of their lifetime.

Senior citizens know a thing or two about change. The experiences they've had has helped them build up their endurance to change as well as their ability to quickly adapt. They know what it takes to survive and thrive regardless of any situation they encounter.

If we take the time to listen to our elders, we might just learn a thing or two from them. Our senior citizens have plenty of advice to give, we just need to ask. 

While it is true that the world is evolving and we should do our best to move with it, it is also important that we do not forget our history. Older people help us to maintain and uphold some of the traditions that make us who we are. It is from them we learn about our history and traditions. 

Many people nowadays are too busy to have as much time as they'd like with their kids. The many responsibilities of modern-day life demands so much of our time. More and more people now depend on senior citizens or grandparents for childcare. 

Loneliness is common among the elderly. As children and grandchildren grow older or move away, they have less time to spend with their parents or grandparents.

Ask them questions about their daily routine, how they’re health is, and if they have any questions or concerns you could help with. Help them feel heard by listening to them when they speak and giving them your full and undivided attention. 

Make the time you spend with them meaningful, don’t be glued to your phone the entire time. During your visit, consider taking a thoughtful gift with you. Maybe a book from their favorite author or even a simple greeting card. This shows that you had them in mind. Doing this will not only make them feel honored, but they will also feel cherished and recognized.

Many senior citizens grew up in an era where respect and etiquette were the norms. So even though the world is changing and there are now different definitions of the word "respect," still go with the old and traditional respect they are used to. Talk to them politely, don’t curse or raise your voice, and be patient with them. 

Yes, it may mean you must listen to the same story told repeatedly or watch them move painstakingly slow when making you a cup of coffee. But remind yourself that they mean well and want nothing more than to feel loved and appreciated. Treat them with the same respect you would want someone to show you when you are older.

One of the best ways to show honor and respect for a loved one is by asking them for advice. By asking them for advice, you're admitting that you know they are wise, have a vast well of experience, and you respect them enough to ask for their opinion. It shows that you are willing to learn from them and value what they have to offer. Asking an elderly person for advice makes them feel respected and important. 

Older people sometimes feel as if they are less important as they age. Media and societal influences tell them they are no longer relevant or worthy of having an opinion. They may feel ignored or invisible. Reaching out to them for their help with something gives them a purpose. It allows them to feel heard and seen, which is something every one of us deserves to feel. 

Senior citizens are always delighted when people show interest in their history and legacy. Many elderly people want nothing more than to share their past and experiences with others. Talking about them helps them relive these memories and feel more connected to their past.

While listening to the elderly talk about their history, experiences and legacies is good, documenting them for other people's consumption is a fantastic way to keep them alive for longer. There is only so much information our brains can store. If we don’t want to forget the fascinating stories of our elderly and ancestors, we must find a way to document them.

Documenting these interesting pieces of history and sharing them with your family members is a great way to make the senior citizens in your family feel honored and ensure your family members never forget their roots. It is also a great way to foster bonding.

A simple phone call reminds an elderly person that they have not been forgotten. Phone calls are no substitute for in person meetings, but they are easier to coordinate on a routine basis.

If your elderly loved one is tech savvy, you may be able to do a video call with them. A video call may be even more special because they will be able to see you as well as talk to you. 

If they are of the female gender, you can take them for a manicure and pedicure session, then to the salon to get their hair done. You can do the same for men or take them to a barber's shop to have their hair cut. A spa day is a great time to catch up with one another.

To make the trip more memorable, consider grabbing lunch afterwards or walking in a park. A spa day followed by lunch, or another activity is a great way to bond with your loved one and make them feel special. 

Eating is the most universal method of bonding for all humans. Schedule regular breakfast, lunch, or dinner dates with your elderly loved one for an excuse to catch up. Your elderly loved one will appreciate a chance to sit down to a meal with you, especially if they eat most of their meals alone.

Take your elderly loved one out to their favorite restaurant or stay home and cook together. Sharing a meal with them is a great bonding experience. You can both enjoy a meal while spending time catching up. It’s a great way to get your elderly loved one out of the house and interacting with other people. 

As we grow older, our energy, vibrancy, and youth decrease, and we may find it difficult to do things that were once considered easy for us. The same thing applies to the elderly ones in our midst. Their strength isn't as it used to be, so they might need help with some things. One of the best ways we can honor our elderly ones and show them love is by offering to run errands for them.

While the activities listed above can effectively communicate how much you honor and respect your elderly loved ones, hearing how much they mean to you from your mouth will have a greater impression.

It is not uncommon to find many elderly people who have survived their spouses in old age. When an elderly person loses their spouse, they might find it difficult to cope. The person with whom they’ve spent decades of their life with is now gone, leaving them alone. The death of their loved one will leave a hole that no one or anything will be able to replace.

However, reliving the memories of their spouse can help to ease and manage their pain. Below are some gift ideas to consider for elderly people who have lost their partner.

Aching bones and body parts are not unusual to the elderly. But what if you could help reduce the intensity at which they experience it? A massage pillow, especially a heated one, can make a world of difference and help provide much-needed relief. 

A custom blanket with photos of their loved ones is another great idea. As they drape it over their body, they are reminded of and experience the warm and beautiful feeling they've come to associate with their loved ones.

A custom calendar is also a fantastic idea. Even though most smartphones now come with calendars, older people are used to doing things the traditional way and would likely appreciate a custom calendar. That way, as the days pass by, they are always reminded of the time they spent with their loved ones.

You can use the incredible and fascinating power of technology to get them a gift they would love, like a digital frame that can load special photos of their friends, families, and memories. A digital frame displays a selection of digital photographs.

Key finders are such an incredibly thoughtful and useful gift. And the best part? They are so versatile. Virtually everyone needs one, but the elderly ones amongst us need them more.

Key finders will help ensure that the elderly ones in your life never lose a key. We know that their memories aren't usually what it was, and they stand a risk of misplacing their keys.

Key finders are a great way to help them not fret over lost keys.

There are different puzzles available for all kinds of personalities. For example, if they love playing around with words, you can get them a crossword puzzle. If they are more mathematically inclined, you can get them a mathematical puzzle; some might prefer riddles and brainteasers, and others might prefer jigsaw puzzles, chess, and so on.

Many elderly people take medication to treat various ailments. A pill organizer to help them keep track of medications would come in handy. The pill organizer is 2 folds. It helps to sort out medications and reminds them when they should take their pills, making sure they take them appropriately.

Hearing their favorite songs play will bring up the beautiful memories they've come to associate with those songs. 

If you don't have an older adult in your life and you still want to contribute meaningfully, you can contact a local nursing home near you.

Most nursing homes have a volunteer program where they actively look for volunteers to help. You may be paired with an individual senior to care for or a group of seniors.

Volunteering at a senior center might include reading to the elderly, talking with them, guiding them through an activity (like knitting or painting), or making sure they eat their food. Volunteering is a rewarding experience that benefits both parties. 

You can also reach out to some of your close friends that you know who have elderly loved ones they care for. Maybe you have a close friend who talks about their uncle, grandparents, or other older adults in their lives; you can reach out to them and ask them if you can tag along during their visits.

You can take a gift with you for them and have meaningful discussions that the both of you will find beneficial.

Almost every community has a well-liked old grandpa or grandma. You can always reach out to them and cultivate a relationship with them. Start by greeting them heartily when you're returning from work and ask about their welfare and pets (if they have any). Then you could graduate to spending some time talking about their day - and so, begin a beautiful friendship and companionship.

From here on, you could start asking them about stuff they need help with. Some older adults might feel like they're imposing on you, so asking might not work in some cases. In cases like this, you can use your discretion.

With about 54.1 million people above  65 years old in America, chances are that you will meet an older person at once in your day-to-day activities. When you meet them, you can use that opportunity to show your respect and honor for their generation.

You can help them by being polite, being patient with them, helping them cross a busy road, getting something off a high shelf for them, or even paying for their coffee. Any small action you can do to show you appreciate them will be most welcome. 

This is one of the best ways to show your honor and respect to the elderly generation. By growing to be a well-mannered elderly adult, you consciously agree to respect and honor elders enough to emulate their lifestyles.

There is no set way to respect the older ones in our midst; you can make do with what comes to your mind or what looks best to you.