Columbia Aged Care

Your loved one can derive many benefits from children and young people visiting them. Whether it is their own grandchildren or children from a local school, your loved one will enjoy the companionship and it will help them to develop a feeling of purpose in life.

eHow has provided a few benefits your loved one may gain from having children pay them a visit from time to time.

Companionship:
Whether it is a day trip to the park, shops or library, playing board games or cards, these activities allow the children and your loved one to bond as well as breaking your loved one out of their daily routine.

Your loved one may also have the chance to tutor or share a bit of their knowledge with a child on a particular school project. This will not only help with bonding but it will also provide your loved one with a sense of purpose and self worth.

Bringing gifts:
Having a child bring your loved one a gift – whether it be slippers, a book, a blanket etc. allows your loved one to not only feel the joy of receiving a surprise gift but it also provides them with the feeling of being loved, valued and remembered.

Making sure your loved one feels valued and remembered is important, especially if they live alone, in a nursing home or live far away.

Sharing experiences:
Your loved one will have so many experiences and stories to tell children. Having your loved one sit with a child or a group of children and share their knowledge or a story about something they experienced (e.g. historical events) is a fantastic way to not only teach the children or child something new but also give your loved one a sense of pride and importance.

Having a child or group of children visit your loved one is a great opportunity to break up your loved one’s daily routine – especially if they do not get regular visitors. If your loved one lives alone, creating a sense of self worth and making sure your loved one knows you care is extremely important.

Read the full article here.

Pets can become great companions for elderly people and come with many benefits.

A pet such as a dog or a cat can provide love, laughter and companionship. They can offer a sense of encouragement and well being, especially if they have just lost a loved one.

Before buying or adopting a pet, elderly people should understand that having a pet means lots of dedication – both physically and financially. This is not a bad thing as this new responsibility for a life can add new meaning to an elderly person’s way of living.

Caring for and providing for a pet can help an elderly person:

• Stay active through feeding, grooming and exercising their pet
• Get out of the house and into fresh air and sunshine
• Meet new people to socialise with while taking the pet out for a walk

Studies have also indicated a link between dog ownership and an increased survival rate in people with heart issues as a pet can reduce stress levels and create a happy and relaxed environment.

Lastly, in cases where elderly people live alone, have little contact with family or friends or their family lives far away, having a companion there can help with the emotional yearning that many people feel when they are lonely or feel isolated.

Read the full article here.