Assessment of the social needs of the elderly
Life leads everyone to the Golden Years. In the past, reaching old age was a time to sit in the rocking chair on the balcony and watch the world go by. Those days are gone. Today’s older generation, the elderly, are learning to be proactive. Many seniors are connected and marvel at the wonders of technology.
This is a promising era for the elderly. With the advent of information technology, in the 21st century, the health of mind, body and spirit is just as important as our careers. The Elixir of Youth has not been discovered, but technology has made advances in the battle against aging—it slows down the aging process for a while.
Realistically, the aches and pains of aging strike in the dead of night, or in the wee hours of the morning, or just about anytime. Add skeletal and muscular aches and pains and a list of medical conditions that arise as we age. Should this condition limit one’s activities? This needs serious thought. Staying active is proven to be good for your physical, mental, and emotional health.
While we all need a quiet moment, for the elderly, the days can be very long if they are inactive. It’s easy for an older person to feel lonely and isolated, or to feel guilty about being a burden. This feeling becomes more serious if there is no social life to give an appearance of balance between action and inaction. The interaction helps keep the elderly in touch with current events. Social contacts add value to their lives, encourage them to stay connected with people and stay on top of current events. Simple social activities add sparkle to your days. There is always something to look forward to tomorrow.
There is much that the younger generation can learn from their older relatives or friends. It is said that society has the necessary tools to age gracefully. But there are many cases in which the mobility of older relatives is limited, this does not mean that they should be confined to the four walls of their home. Families should discuss how to share the responsibility of visitation and a day off for their elders. It warms the hearts of the elderly to know that someone cares. Emotionally, this is very important. There are community services that are dedicated to serving the needs of older people. But a little attention from a loving family member or friend lifts their spirits and they feel that yes, they are loved, and that there is more to life than counting the hours.
Geography separates families and friends. We live in a highly mobile world. Even with the advent of travel, visiting relatives is not that easy. Professional and family responsibilities contribute to infrequent family gatherings. It behooves the younger members of the family to show more concern for their elders.
Surely you have fond memories of yesteryear.
Encourage them to cultivate their friendships. Talking openly about accessibility to services, maintaining contact with friends and neighbors is essential. Someone in the family should volunteer to be the emergency contact. There are social activities in most communities for the elderly population. Encourage your elder to check these out and find a friend who can enjoy them with them. Attending church services is a way to keep in touch with the community. There are exercise classes for seniors, this is not only healthy, it can be fun. A trip to the library with a friend can be interesting and make an extra trip for coffee. Take them shopping, turn them into a social event. Going out to dinner from time to time can be interesting.
With time available, social activities keep life interesting, healthy, and meaningful. Staying active makes every sunrise brighter and welcomes each day with happy thoughts. It’s important to be there socially and be an active member of society. It distracts the mind from the aches and pains and loneliness of old age.
