3 Ways To Make Sure Your Loved Ones Feel Appreciated This Spring 2021

Young or old, we all need a little bit of loving every now and then – maybe now more than ever.

As your loved ones grow old and you set off on your own adventures, it’s often easy for them to feel as if they’re being left behind. Whether it be a grandparent, a parent figure, or even an elderly friend you care for dearly, dealing with the concept of aging is always a difficult matter and often feels like a very lonely endeavour, especially with stay-at-home orders still in full effect.

So what can you do to show your appreciation for those you love?

Being a senior doesn’t automatically mean you’re in a constant state of sadness. But because older people are often at risk of clinical depression, it’s important for you to make sure your loved ones know they’re not alone. With that being said, here are our top 4 ways you can show your appreciation for your loved ones this spring season.

1) Check-in On Your Loved Ones

With stay-at-home orders still in effect for many regions of the world, senior care has never been more important. As the elderly spend more and more time indoors to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19, it’s imperative for you to make sure your loved ones feel appreciated, needed, and useful – attributes that have definitely become increasingly difficult for seniors to experience, provided the climate of current events. 

With all this isolation, it’s important to stay vigilant of common symptoms of senior depression your loved ones may be experiencing. As described by the National Institute of Aging, some typical symptoms include:

• Increased anxiety, grumpiness, and/ or irritability
• Sleeping difficulties (sleeping significantly more or less than normal)
• Difficulty remembering or concentrating
• Decreased appetite and decreased energy or fatigue
• Frequent crying and decreased interest in otherwise pleasurable activities

While these are just a few symptoms, being able to recognize a potential problem may provide you with the right amount of time needed to take action and seek the appropriate help.

2) Encourage Mental and Physical Activity

Supporting your loved ones and encouraging them to take part in regular cognitive (mental) and physical activity is imperative for a healthy lifestyle among older people. Moreover, apart from their potential health benefits, they are also a great way to ensure your loved ones remain active.

Mental stimulus and brain games may include:

• Sudoku
• Crosswords puzzles
• Reading!

Safe and effective means of physical activity may include:

• Outdoor gardening
• Chair aerobics
• Nature walks

For more on spring activities for seniors, be sure to check out our other article, which details how to ensure a safe and meaningful spring season!

3) Help Them Stay Connected Through Technology!

One of our favourite senior care at home tips is to incorporate the use of technology and social media into the daily routines of those you love! 

For older folks, simple means such as a digital tablet or home computer make catching up and staying connected with old friends via social media and the internet as easy as 1,2,3! — especially during a time where everyone is so disconnected.

The Best Way To Show Your Love and Appreciation

While the pandemic has made physical interactions more difficult, there’s no denying the best way to show your appreciation for your loved ones is by simply spending time with them. Nonetheless, if you have noticed typical everyday tasks becoming significantly more difficult for your loved ones to do, it might be time to consider senior care assistance.

For more senior care tips and advice, be sure to check out our other articles.