If you find that you have older friends or family that are dependent on you, it is likely that caring for others will be at the forefront of your mind when they are vulnerable or need assistance. It can be hard to think of different ways to care for them. Here are our 10 ideas to inspire you…
If you find that you have older friends or family that are dependent on you, it is likely that caring for others will be at the forefront of your mind when t... more
1
Care about what they think
Talking and listening is very important and one of the simplest yet most effective ways of being there for someone in need. You can go for coffee or just sit in the park but make a regular time and a place to talk and listen so that those dependent on you know that you have time for them as well as offering some semblance of a routine for them.
2
Care about their wellness
Whether it’s recreational exercise like walks on the beach or a regular cycle group, you can never get too much fresh air and exercise. Encourage the people you care for to tell you what they like doing. Spend time exercising together to improve their health. This will also allow you to spend quality time together.
3
Share your care tips with others
A great gift to give to others in your situation is the knowledge that you hold about giving great care. It can be as easy as joining a community centre or volunteer help programme but you can also do it virtually. You can use tools like the Carewell Advice Board, an advice tool that has just launched, which shares tips and advice from carers to inform other carers. Using this pin board, you can share your tips on how to look after yourself while caring for others with any tips you may choose to share such as ‘eating well’ or ‘dealing with stress’.
4
Care about their financial future
Money can be a sensitive issue but can be a very stressful area to think about on your own. You can show you care by arranging a meeting with a financial consultant and the person you think may need some advice. Talk to them about it first and make sure they are comfortable with the idea before arranging it. It could give them peace of mind as well as a financial plan which is something they may not have been able to do themselves.
5
Care about their diet
No matter who you care for, you can never be too conscientious about diets. You can show you care by researching power foods; learning how best to cook or prepare foods so that they don’t lose their nutritional value and even develop a meal plan to ensure regular eating. Discuss these ideas with your family or dependants so that they can contribute and help you to take care of their health as well as your own and you will soon be on the way to a healthy lifestyle together.
6
Care about their future
One of the best ways to care about someone is to care about their future wellbeing. If you have vested interests in the care of your more elderly friends, relatives or close family then considering retirement and care home options with them is a good way to secure their future care and make planning the future a less daunting experience for them.
7
Learn something new together
Taking up a new hobby or class with someone who may not be able to do it alone is a great way of empowering them through your support. Pick up a casual language course or a light fitness class and learn something new together to build your relationship as well as show you care.
8
Get involved with their interests and hobbies
Showing people that you are interested in what they do with their free time is a great way of showing that you think that they are interesting; you may even learn something new! Get them to teach you a bit about what they do and how to do it yourself and this could become a space where you reconvene regularly.
9
Share their story
By asking people a bit more about themselves, you are showing that you want to get to know them better. Letting them speak about their memories may allow you to understand them more as well as allow you to appreciate them more.
10
Get sociable
Holding informal socials or afternoon teas is a great way of getting the people you care for to meet new people or be reconnected with old friends. Caring about them on a multitude of different levels is great but making sure that they can sometimes just be around people so that they can relax, laugh, talk and reminisce about things is something that will provide short and long term happiness!
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