Search Pinterest for quotes about love, and you’re likely to come across some version of the following statement: “There are a million ways of saying ‘I love you’: ‘Watch your step.’ ‘Get some rest.’ ‘Put your seatbelt on.’”
It’s true; there are myriad ways of showing your loved ones exactly how much you care. With that in mind, we thought it would be nice — it is the month of love, after all — to offer a few ways of saying “I love you” to the elderly in your life.
Essentially, they all come down to one thing: time. When it comes to gifts, physical presents typically aren’t ideal — they often just clutter up the home. Instead of things, here are some time-based gifts you can share with the elderly in your life:
Cook and serve a meal. More even than the food, which itself can make a large impact, the benefit to cooking and serving a meal to an elderly loved one is that you simply took the time to do it. Loved ones will enjoy spending time with you as they try out a new dish or enjoy an old favorite. After the meal, be sure to clean up and wash the dishes!
Look through old photos together and chat about memories. Once you’ve done this, you’ll probably be asking yourself why you haven’t done it more often.
These reminisce-and-gab sessions can be a treasure, and they’ll probably also lead to stories you’ve never heard before about family history.
Take them for a walk and/or help them run errands. Let’s face it: Moving around gets harder the older we get. Without someone to help, we can lose trust in our ability to walk without falling. Helping loved ones enjoy the great outdoors — and maybe accomplish a few tasks while they’re at it, like picking up a prescription or buying groceries — can really make their week. Give it a chance, and it’ll probably make yours, too!
Set up a complimentary in-home assessment with a licensed caregiver. A no-obligation, completely free consultation with an at-home care provider like Take My Hand At Home Care can help loved ones discover areas to make life more enjoyable. A typical assessment will cover a number of topics, including:
- Home safety: Is the home safe for your loved one to age in place?
- Daily routines: What does your loved one like to do on a daily basis, and what are his or her personal preferences? What are your loved one’s personal background, interests, family and hobbies?
- Medical needs: What medications are being taken, and what other medical information is important? Does your loved one need assistance with doctor visits?
- Service cost: What is the cost of at-home care services, and what insurance will cover it?
For more information, contact the licensed caregivers at Take My Hand At Home Care in Lynden.
Maintain routine. An established routine of certain activities at certain times — especially during those times your loved one is most prone to wander, such as in the evenings — can go a long way toward preventing spontaneous exits.
Use technology. Devices are available that can help to track your loved ones if they leave the house. The local Alzheimer Society of Washington, for example, has a program called 
Remember that wandering can be common among loved ones with dementia, but with planning and support from those around you, it’s manageable. For additional guidance and support, feel free to 
Alzheimer Society of Washington: Those caring for individuals with dementia or other memory issues can benefit greatly from the 
The holiday season ― that wonderful time of fun, friendship and family ― is fast approaching. For the elderly loved ones in your life, the holidays can be special treats, times when they can feel particularly close to family as they reminisce about holidays gone by.
Oftentimes there are family members who live too far away to visit in person during the holidays. Set up an elderly loved one with a simple tablet computer and access to the Internet so they can use email and interact with family via video chats. Technology can be overwhelming for the elderly, so keep it simple. Start with one app for email and one app for video messaging.