Today we’re here to give you some tips on how to stay close to our grandparents. With loneliness on the rise in the UK, it is vital that the elderly are looked after and can feel needed by their friends and family members. Almost three-quarters, 73%, of elderly people in the UK are lonely, and more than half never speak to anyone about how they feel, according to the results of a 2018 survey. This is an incredibly sad statistic and something more awareness should be raised around. In light of these stats and the increasing feeling of loneliness among the elderly, we’re providing ways of staying close to grandparents and elders.
1. Write to Them Often
Sending a letter is a great way to keep your elderly grandparents or loved ones up to date. If you’re not a big writer send postcards from days out or holidays you've gone on. There are now many ways to instantly send photos to family members to let them know you’re thinking of them. Receiving something so meaningful in the post could really make their day! Alternatively, introduce them to the wonders of social media, making it easier than ever to keep in touch.
2. Involve Elderly Members in Celebrations
Birthdays. Easter. Bank Holidays. Always remember your grandparents and other elderly family members when you are having family days. Put in the extra effort to let them know how much you want them involved. You can invite them to kids parties, sports days, or even just bring them with you to pick up the kids from school. They’ll love being surprised by granddad or grandma! It can often be easy to miss out on involving older members in such events because of concerns like transport, care, or whether they want to go. Unless you ask, you won’t know. The thought is often enough to make someone feel included and less lonely.
3. Ask for Guidance
Grandparents and older family relations have a lot of experience under their belt that can be really helpful when bringing up your own children. They don’t need to be involved in making any decisions for you, but they will appreciate being asked for help every now and then. An article published highlighted how grandparents help stabilise teens. Try getting grandparents to pick up the kids from school, or take them out for walks or visits to the duck pond at the weekend. If you need some downtime they could even look after them for the weekend.
4. Enjoy Leisure Time
Outside of events and celebrations, pop in to enjoy your parents'/grandparents' company. Share a cup of tea, help them around the house, or suggest doing a hobby that they love. Listen to their stories, relive fond memories and have some fun! We have a fantastic guide of activities and events to do over the summer period. These range from outdoor cinemas, festivals to national park visits.
5. Use Technology
Set your elderly relatives up on Skype – you won’t regret it! Seeing the family even when not nearby can be a great comfort for both you and your elderly relatives. You can also phone them when you’re too busy to visit and send emails for them to read up on your latest news.
Read our Careline post ‘7 Gadgets For Old People’ for more ideas.
Worry Less
Many of us may worry about imposing on our grandparents and parents. We might end up speaking to them less because it feels like we're constantly checking up on them. A Careline alarm is an effective way of providing peace of mind to you and your parents/grandparents. Moreover, when you're worrying less, it's easier to focus on good times and good memories.
Find out more about our alarms by exploring our shop page or calling our helpful team on 0800 030 8777.
