RSS Feed
 The healing power of touch. It's a scientific fact that affirming physical touch can have a powerful impact on the life of another human being. Whether it's the bonding influence of a newborn being cradled by it's mother, or a grown daughter holding the hand of her aged mother struggling with anxiety, physical touch has been proven to be a significant factor in positive physical health and mental well being. Many seniors in the golden years of their life may be facing their future alone. Their spouse of decades could have preceded them in death. For most of us, it's hard to imagine what it's like to have been married to the same person for 50, 60, 70 or more years. But for many of our elders from the Greatest Generation, that was and is the norm. Suddenly though, death separates that lifetime relationship, and the loneliness can be devastating. The incredible power of a hug, holding their hand or just sitting close to them to talk can fill a void created by the loss of their partner. Life is so hectic that for many families on the run they find it difficult to make the time to go visit their elderly parents and grandparents. Ball games, school events, work commitments and other schedule conflicts overwhelm the otherwise well meaning family members. Involuntary isolation for seniors happens, even if they happen to live in an assisted living facility or retirement community. What can break they chains of loneliness is simple pat on the back, touch of the hand or hug around the neck. It may very well be the only physical contact that senior receives the entire week! You have the ability to make a huge difference in the lives of those seniors whose paths you cross this week! Show them your heart by reaching out and being affectionate where it is appropriate! If you have an elderly family member that lives some distance from you, and you feel it would be beneficial for them to have greater interaction with someone on a regular basis, maybe you should consider hiring one of the member agencies of the OPHC! Just click "About Us" at the top of the web page, and then select "Membership Directory" to see a listing of our incredible member agencies! Check them out and see if there is an agency close to you that could provide staff to provide someone to meet your needs! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC
0 Comments
 For many families, the holidays mean shopping, travel, office parties and school programs. For just as many seniors, the holidays can be times of loneliness, poor health and danger. It's important that families take the time during the holiday season to make sure that their senior loved ones are well cared for during the holidays.
For widowed seniors, sometimes the holidays can be a sad or lonely experience, especially if their spouse has died within the last few years. The same holds true for seniors who have outlived their own children. Families should be extra sensitive to this loneliness. Talk with your loved one about those most special memories with their family member who has passed. Rather than silently observe or pretend nothing is going on, address these feelings head on, and help them find joy in the memories. As the weather gets colder, seniors are prone to stay inside more often, and for longer periods of time. This can contribute to a variety of physical and mental health challenges. Take advantage of any sunny day wear the weather is temperate to get outside, even if only for a brief time. The fresh air and Vitamin D from sunlight can be incredibly beneficial for seniors. As families travel for the holidays to visit all of the "In-laws and outlaws", there may be times when an elderly loved one stays behind. Make sure that someone is checking in on them regularly while those who normally would do so are out of town. This will give everyone peace of mind, and insures there are limited potentials for serious accident or health problems that might go unattended otherwise. You may want to consider hiring one of the many partner agencies of the OPHC! These agencies are able to supply staff to provide care in your absence! Who knows, your loved one may make a new friend, and find they enjoy the help even after the holidays! Just click at the top of the page where it says "About Us", then click "Membership Directory" for a list of our member agencies in your area! The holidays are time for joy, family and celebration. Make sure that you are intentional and helpful for those wonderful seniors in your life, making their holidays just as wonderful as yours! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC  We all like to be HEARD. During this political season, every politician is vying for the listening ear of every eligible voter. Children shout, "Mommy, mommy, mommy" until they get a response. We have conversations with our friends and not so friendlies, and although we are hearing them speak, what we really want is a chance for them to listen to US.
Life is no different for our seniors. Their grown children have busy, hectic lives. These seniors desperately want a few minutes of their time, to talk with their family, listen to what's happening in their lives, and to share their own recent experiences and struggles. Seniors living in facilities want the administration to hear their viewpoints on everything from the temperature of the building to their suggestions or complaints about the cafeteria menu. Mostly, seniors aren't through living, aren't through caring and they aren't through hearing and wanting to be heard. There are myriads of reasons why it's critical to make intentional opportunities to listen to our seniors. First, they may have changing needs- physical, medical, emotional, mental or spiritual- that could be indicators to both their short-term and long-term well being. We need to listen for what those needs might be. We also need to listen because seniors have so much value to offer with their words, wisdom and experience. They've seen so much in their lifetimes, and their grown children, grandchildren and people who are a part of their caring process can benefit greatly just by asking questions of our seniors, and then listening well to their responses. Finally, listening is the easiest way in the world for us to offer each other the dignity and honor that is deserved, and that we would want for ourselves if/when we find ourselves in their shoes. Listening means we stop, put aside other things, and make this conversation the priority of the moment. It says to the other person, "You are valuable, you matter, and what you have to say is important." Take some time today to listen! If you or a loved one could benefit from hiring a home health care staff person to be a part of this listening process by working as a caregiver, then give one of our OPHC member agencies a call. Simply click on "About Us" at the top of this page, and then "Membership Directory" for a list of our member agencies! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC |
AuthorOur members regularly contribute to our Blog! Archives
March 2022
Categories
All
|
|
|