Respecting the Elderly

One of the greatest ways you can spread kindness and help is to spend time with elderly people. It could be a relative, a neighbor, or just someone random out in public.  There are so many ways to offer help to an older person.  You can carry their bags at a grocery store or return their grocery cart for them.  If are out eating at a restaurant and notice an elderly person eating alone, perhaps they are in need of a companion and could be invited to sit with you and talk.  It can be difficult for some elderly people to do chores on their own.  You could help them by preparing meals, running errands, or doing yard work. Offer them your services and give them something to look forward to. Many elderly people are not always open with their needs and might think that they are a bother to other people. Do not wait for them to ask for help.  Just offer and follow through with it.

Visit a retirement or nursing home.  You could call ahead of time and see if there are any residents who do not often get a visitor.  Perhaps the nurses can give you the name of someone that might be in need of a friend who could just stop by to talk.  Kindness does not have to cost anything.  Just your time.  You could make it a routine visit.

With the very cold winter, I have not been able to see my 97 year old grandmother as often as I would like.  We only live five miles apart, but she has not been going out with all of the snow.  Today, there was a turn for the better with the weather.  It is almost Spring-like!!  Who knows how long it will last, but I took advantage of it and gave Gram a call to see if she wanted to join me for dinner out tonight.  Her entire attitude changed after inviting her.  She chose her favorite restaurant and tonight, we will take the time to catch up and enjoy each others company.

Tagged: elderly, gift of time, grammy, nusring home, respect