by Dr. Macie Smith
Since 1978, every Sunday following Labor Day has been celebrated as National Grandparents Day. The holiday is an annual reminder to spend time and show love to the grandparents who have made us who we are.
Part of SYNERGY HomeCare’s mission is to help older adults live life to the fullest, especially from the comfort of their own homes. With that goal in mind, SYNERGY HomeCare has put together a list of ways you can make the most of Grandparents Day this year, while supporting your grandparents’ well-being and independence.
Spend Time to Connect Meaningfully
Quality time goes a long way, especially for the older adults in your life. If you’re within driving distance of your grandparents, take the time to visit in person and spend time with them.
If you’re too far away for a physical visit, a warm phone call can still mean a lot. When you are spending time with your grandparents, be engaged and have meaningful conversations. Tell stories, play games, and catch them up on where you are in life.
Lend a Hand Where You Can
Regardless of how independent your grandparents may be, a helping hand is always nice to have around. When you’re with your older loved ones this September, help them age in place safely by:
- Assisting with daily chores. Go shopping with your grandparents, help them get the laundry done, or even just offer to help declutter the house.
- Helping them transition into fall. Offer to help swap your grandparents’ summer wardrobe with their warmer clothes as the summer winds down. Help pack up their summer decorations for fall holidays and get the last bits of summer yardwork done before the days get too short and too cold.
- Making their home safer. Check the lighting fixtures in your grandparents’ house and make sure there aren’t any dark hallways or staircases that they need to traverse. Offer to help rearrange furniture to allow for easier movement throughout the living spaces. Even rearranging their pantry or medicine cupboards to allow for easier access can dramatically improve their day-to-day lives.
Be Conscious of Where They May Need Extra Help
While spending time with your grandparents, try to be aware of the ways they may need extra help but won’t directly ask for it. For many aging adults, admitting that they can’t do something often feels like admitting defeat or that they can’t live independently. For that reason, your grandparents likely won’t let on all the different ways they could use an extra hand, so it’s up to you to note those needs yourself. Pay attention to:
- Their social routines. Does grandma or grandpa say they don’t have anyone to talk to? Are they isolated all day if you aren’t there to talk to them? How much do they get out and about?
- Their diets. Are your grandparents struggling with putting together balanced meals? Are they relying too heavily on microwaveable or ready-to-eat junk food? Would they appreciate having a real meal plan?
- Their mood. Is grandma or grandpa usually chipper, but now they’re more reserved or depressive? Do they say they don’t want to do the things they would have in the past?
If you notice sudden anxiety, isolation, physical wear and tear, or depression in your grandparents, they almost definitely need some extra support, but don’t want to admit it. Many of these concerns can be solved by simple companionship.
Although your efforts on Grandparents Day won’t go unnoticed, you likely won’t have the bandwidth to provide that companionship on a regular basis. Fortunately, SYNERGY HomeCare and their team of professional caregivers are only a call away to make your grandparents feel supported, safe, and celebrated any time that you can’t do it yourself.
To learn more about the personalized home care services that SYNERGY HomeCare can offer your grandparents, visit https://synergyhomecare.com/ or call 877-432-2692.
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SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments. Find a location near you or contact us to learn how we can provide additional support to you and your loved ones.
Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. For more articles by Dr. Macie Smith, click here.
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