WHO’S GOING TO HELP VISIT ME?
This morning I received a call that one of our clients had received a visit from the police for a welfare check because she, herself, had called her doctor’s office stating that she was suicidal. After speaking with all the people involved it boiled down to this. The caregiver had gotten stuck in traffic and was 10 minutes late. In that brief 10 minutes the client had assumed she had been abandoned and decided nobody wanted to help her. When I finally got to speak with the client she said “I just did not know who was going to help me”.
As a Provider Agency I hear this question many times “who’s going to help me”, and each time I do my heart sinks a little. Our answer is always “don’t worry, we are going to help”. But often as we continue to talk with these people we discover that needing help is actually secondary to their real request, and that is . . . when is somebody going to “visit” me.
Loneliness, isolation and loss of activity has become a serious issue for so many elderly. These issues can lead to many other problems, including declining health, depression and even thoughts of suicide. As a caregiver for my elderly parents I have come to realize that quite often the highlight of their day is when I walk in that door in the evening and share the day’s events. So as caregivers how do we help our clients? Some ways to encourage your seniors might include:
Talking: Engage your client. You may be there with specific tasks in mind but it’s easy to engage in conversation while you are working. Discuss the latest headlines, ask questions about their life and actively listen. Share stories of your own life. One client I have happily recounts to me everything that is going on in her caregiver’s life as if it were her own.
Help them locate outside groups that may have an interest for them (i.e. bridge group or “coffee clutch”, a church of their choosing). Assist them in finding various modes of transportation. Introduce them to their neighbors.
Help with modern technology. Many seniors do not have the advantage of knowing how to use new technology. Help them learn some of the technologies which could help isolation. A Facebook account, how to skype with a family member. Newer technology offers the ability to connect with many people they may not normally be able to see.
These are just a few of the many ways to help. But just one small step can help tremendously. Reducing a seniors feeling of isolation can improve their health and their life.
