Conversation and Your Elderly Parent

Elderly Care in Springfield VA

Family caregivers know the importance of keeping their loved one active. In addition to promoting physical health, activity encourages a good night’s sleep. We live in an age where busy is better, why should it not be the same way for the elderly? Stimulation is good, right? While, yes, keeping active is an important part of aging, you may find it interesting that, when asked, senior’s favorite pastime is often conversation.

Check the Schedule

Knowing this, it may be time to take a look at the daily schedule you’ve set for your parent. Do you have periods in which camaraderie, companionship and conversation are the key components? Or are those elements nowhere to be found?

Benefits

• Nick depression in the bud. Social isolation is a contributing factor in depression.
• Healthier diet. Many older cultures consider meal time a community event. Your parent is no different in the fact that they do not want to eat alone night after night. Studies show that having company while dining increases both quantity and quality of food intake.
• Reduce cognitive decline. Studies show a significant reduction in cognitive decline among elderly that keep an active social life.

Tips for Adding Conversation

Make sure there is time carved out in the schedule in which you and your loved one can sit together and chat. If conversation has never been easy between the two of you, consider topics to bring up. Getting out an old photo album can help begin a talk. Asking questions about their life before your arrival can bring up stories that you may have never heard. Grabbing a glass of tea and sitting together on the patio with a newspaper in hand can start conversations on present day topics. You don’t want to be the only form of companionships, but you do want to be included. Most likely, you are at the top of their list regarding people they care about and want to spend quality time with, whether you know it or not.

The world is ripe with people looking for conversation. The key is starting one. Taking your loved one to social events where they have that opportunity is important to their emotional and physical well-being. Good places to consider: senior community centers, volunteer organizations, churches or synagogues, support groups, fitness and art classes. Also, be sure to fit in time with other family and friends. Scheduling a potluck once a month will put a smile on your parent’s face that is well worth the effort. An elderly care provider can also offer services in this much needed area. Sometimes, they become your parent’s closest companion.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Springfield, VA, call the caring staff at Medical Professionals On Call today. 703-273-8818

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Michelle DeFilippis

I graduated with a BS degree and had been selling medical equipment to hospitals, clinics and technicians. More recently, a family member was diagnosed with dementia and we, as a family, realized we were not prepared t care for her. We were thrown into that whirlpool of hospital stays, 24/7 live-in care, skilled care, caring for mom ourselves and finally, now daily home care. This was such a stressful time that I started thinking there had to be other people, other families as overwhelmed and unprepared as we were.

Medical Professionals On Call has such a caring, professional staff who are available to step in with whatever level of care necessary for loved ones and to relieve you of that stress.

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