Powered by Connection: Supporting Older Loved Ones
With May comes the recognition of Older Americans Month (OAM). This observance was established in 1963 in honor of our aging population. During that time, only about 17 million elderly Americans reached their 65th birthday. There were no programs to meet their needs, and many lived in deprivation. As part of his efforts to resolve these issues, President Kennedy met with the National Council of Senior Citizens to raise awareness and appreciation for our elderly community, particularly those who have served in the military. This year's OAM theme is "Power by Connection" to inspire meaningful relationships and social connections for our aging community's well-being. In this blog post, we will discuss various ways to help your aging loved one stay socially connected.
How can the elderly feel connected with loved ones?
Thankfully, with technological advancements in the 21st century, seniors can stay connected to their loved ones in a variety of ways. Here are just a few ideas to consider:
- Video Calling (such as Facetime, Messenger, Zoom and so much more)
- Phone calls.
- Texting and checking in on one another.
- Emailing or video email
- Sending photos or having a digital frame to send photos to so they can get updates.
Other ways in which seniors can feel socially connected:
- Try something new by taking a class, joining a social club, going to a gym, or trying new activities in the surrounding communities.
- Getting involved in community events such as volunteering, teaching, working, or mentoring.
- Spending time with family by going to events, going to see other family members, and going to events where they meet people who share similar interests.
Get social in Winston-Salem:
- Shepherd’s Center of Greater Winston-Salem: 336-748-0217
- Forsyth County Public Library Adult Outreach: 336-703-2903
- Senior Services, Inc. Senior Lunch: 336-725-0907
How Can Right at Home Winston-Salem Help?
We like to involve our clients in many activities to keep them socially active. Here are just some examples of what we have done in the past with our clients to keep them socially connected: Pictured here is Rachel our RN with one of our clients eating lunch. Some elderly like to be social when eating, which may encourage them to eat, especially if they struggle to eat as they age.
We also like to encourage our clients to participate in the many activities we do every so often with our caregivers. Below, one of our caregivers, Zakiya, helped our clients make this beautiful poster representing Dr. Hale Williams, an important doctor who revolutionized medicine. This was in honor of Black History Month.
As you can see from the above photos here at Right at Home we ensure that your aging loved ones stay connected socially, mentally, and physically. No matter what age you are it is important to not feel isolated and stay connected with others whether that be through technology, fitness, joining social clubs, helping the surrounding communities, or including them in family or neighboring events.
