Spending time with elderly loved ones can be rewarding and challenging at the same time.
Younger relatives are fortunate to be able to learn about family and world history from a personal and unique perspective. Older relatives are often sources of comfort and wisdom when daily life gets overwhelming or traumatic situations occur.
However, getting older is not easy on the body or mind. Older adults do not want to give up activities that are part of daily routines. Unfortunately, deterioration of the body occurs whether one is perfectly healthy or ill. Senior citizens are not aware of or are in denial about natural effects of aging and continue with tasks that can put them or others at danger.
One of the hardest things to give up is driving. The eyes and ears are not as sharp as they may have been to safely get behind the wheel. Make the transition easier by offering to run errands together as a team. Offer to transport a senior to a doctor visit adding a lunch date to the mix. Focus on the lunch and personal visit rather than the errand.
Although one is giving, emphasizing on what one is getting from the quality time spent with an elderly relative allows the relative to see what he or she can no longer do is actually a benefit.