NURSE IN THE KNOW: Are you staying connected?
Most everyone knows that having a close network of friends and family is critical to maintaining a fun and happy attitude. This is especially important as we age, since often times seniors can become isolated from those they care about most – and those that care about them.
Making an effort to stay in touch with friends and family is important as it can really lift your spirits.
If you’re feeling down, however, it takes a little bit of effort and perhaps someone to help make the connections. The health benefits of staying connected are definitely worth it!
A few simple suggestions to help seniors stay connected are outlined below:
Plan a dinner
A great way to share some laughs is to share a meal. Try planning a dinner for family and friends once per month.
Getting everyone together and making it a plan can keep everyone connected even after the dinner. If you don’t want to cook for all those people, plan a potluck. There’s nothing more fun than everyone bringing a bunch of tasty treats.
Write
Try writing to your family on a regular basis. It’s a great way to keep in touch with those you love.
If you’re comfortable with the computer, send your grandkids an email – they’ll definitely think you’re the coolest grandparent on the block. If you’re not too computer savvy, have your grandkids teach you the basics.
This can be a great way to spend some time and will also keep you connected in the future. Take a class on computer basics for seniors. Stay in the loop!
Schedule activities
Having a number of activities you attend on a weekly basis can go a long way in building and keeping great relationships with friends or family.
Start an activity with a loved one – it’ll give you the chance to catch up and share some fun experiences. Activities can be as simple as going for a walk, visiting the museum, or catching a movie. Make it a point to go once a week and try bringing new people with you.
Join a club
If you’re having trouble staying connected or don’t have many close family or friends in your area join a club or a local seniors centre.
Always remember you’re not alone. There are people out there who would love to meet you and share a laugh. The senior’s centre is a great place to meet new people and have some fun. Partner up with someone or ask someone to take you along and try it out.
“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old… you grow old because you stop laughing.”
—Michael Pritchard
• Wendy J. Scott (RN, BScN, MA) is the owner and director of human resources of Nurse Next Door’s Burnaby/New Westminster/TriCities office. Reach her at 604-268-6262 or wendy@nursenextdoorburnaby.com.
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