What Was So Great About the Good Old Days?
Not all of the past was golden, that's for sure. Poverty, wars, racial injustice, epidemics: there are many things that were not better in the so-called Good Old Days. But the old-time pleasures are still great to look back on and recall. Sharing memories of good times past with others can make new memories and pass along important values.
But while remembering things from the past that were loved and fun, it can be important to look around at the present, appreciating advances in medicine and convenience, enjoying technology and advancing ideas, and valuing what has been made much better, so that each day can be one of the "Good New Days." Prairie Homestead yvonne@prairiehomestead.org prairiehomestead.org 1605 W. May Street Wichita KS 67213 (316) 263-8264 It's Never Too Late to Have Some Fun! The Best in Senior Living in Wichita| Prairie Homestead6/28/2021 Some say that "growing old is no fun," but there's no need to subscribe to that pessimistic theory. Retirement is no longer sitting in a rocking chair watching others enjoy life. There are plenty of ways to still have fun as seniors.
1. Take a Walk While jogging or Zumba might not look so good anymore, taking a walk is one of the best ways to keep healthy. Even a stroll around the block or up the hallway and back can add to a senior's strength, balance, heart and lung function and eyesight. During a walk, one can look around for things of interest: nesting birds, new housepaint colors, children at play or new models of cars. 2. Write Many seniors are frustrated that their family members don't have time to really visit anymore. A solution is to start some creative writing. Even if one thinks one's life was routine or ordinary, everyone has real stories, heartbreaks, obstacles and successes to pass along to others. An older adult can jot down notes about their time in a war or their reactions to a historical event. Maybe share some gardening secrets or memories of a teaching career. The budding writer might have some hilarious tales to tell. If hand-writing is hard, enlist a younger relative to "take dictation" for an hour or so at a time or use a small recording device. The process of writing can actually prevent age-related brain shrinkage! 3. Play a Game Whether one plays alone—like solitaire or a jigsaw puzzle—or in a group (think Pinochle or Spoons), the brain activity provided by counting, guessing, figuring and laughing is a tremendous advantage to health. A weekly "game night" can also provide something to look forward to. 4. Take the Stage Many residential or worship centers provide activities for seniors to act, sing, dance or put on shows. Cardiovascular health, serotonin levels, balance and memory can all be helped by getting creative in these active ways. 5. Take the Plunge Swimming can be a safe and healthy way for seniors to spend time. It's easy on the joints and can help fight osteoporosis, while being a calming way to lower blood pressure and increase strength. A class at a local gym or community pool might be geared especially to seniors. Prairie Homestead yvonne@prairiehomestead.org prairiehomestead.org 1605 W. May Street Wichita KS 67213 (316) 263-8264 After a long, isolated time during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still many questions about what safety precautions are necessary. Most residential care facilities follow strict guidelines about rules and regulations which will help keep residents safe and healthy. But what are sensible guidelines for getting out into daily life now that many have had vaccines?
Am I Safe from the Virus? As of two weeks after your final vaccination (some come in two doses, some in one), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that it is safe for you to be in an indoor group of people who have all been vaccinated, without having to wear a mask. An extended-family dinner or birthday party is considered fine in this scenario. Say hello to your family and friends again. Game night is on! Who is Still at Risk? It's still wise to be extra careful if you have an immune-deficiency condition, have recently had or are having chemotherapy, or if you are an older citizen. Washing hands is still a great idea, and if you have any doubts about the health of others you might gather with, stay away. Some people, those with certain health conditions or young children, cannot be vaccinated. Others may choose not to be. There are still risks of transmission of the COVID-19 virus and its variations. Whom Can I Trust? With many rumors and media articles giving out theories galore, it's hard to know what is right or wrong, but consulting your Personal Care Physician is always the best idea. With their help, you can make well-informed personal decisions about your health care. Your own experiences from the past (such as living through the polio epidemic or hearing stories of epidemics) should add to your information-gathering. What Advice Do Professionals Give? Health-care professionals, from the CDC to emergency care nurses, still advise that the best way to stay well is to get vaccinated. Keep wearing a mask in crowded conditions. Eat on the patio instead of a crowded restaurant, if the option is available. Avoid huge crowds, concerts, movie theatres. Stay out of unventilated buildings. There is no situation in which there is no risk, but after having a vaccine, your life can begin to open up again. Prairie Homestead yvonne@prairiehomestead.org prairiehomestead.org 1605 W. May Street Wichita KS 67213 (316) 263-8264 Do you actually listen to what your senior friend has to say or do you assume that you already know? If your conversation topics are usually the weather or what happened on a favorite television show, you might want to find out more about your loved one by digging a little deeper. You could have a richer relationship and be better able to help improve the life of your special senior. You might find them saying things like:
There are also times that you can spend together, without talking, simply enjoying each other's company. Play some music from the past, hymns from their faith, holiday songs, or their dance music. Looking through an old book or magazine together could be an opening for an important conversation. Seniors have had lives which might surprise you, cause you sadness or delight you, but you will do yourself and your loved one a service by listening to what they want to say. Prairie Homestead yvonne@prairiehomestead.org prairiehomestead.org 1605 W. May Street Wichita KS 67213 (316) 263-8264 Visiting a senior relative might not look like fun to a toddler or a teenager. The expectation that they will sit quietly in an unknown environment and told to stay off their hand-held devices can certainly be off-putting to the younger generation. However, the attitude of the adults who arrange the visits between grandchildren and grandparent, for instance, can have a major influence on how much everyone gets out of the relationship. There are things that you can do to make the combination of youth and age produce more harmony than complaint.
1. Show your children that you are eager to go. Phrases like "We have to visit Gramps" or "I know you don't want to go, but Aunt Rose wants to see you" set up an expectation of failure. Try suggesting, "Let's see if we can ask Granny to tell us about the clothes teenagers used to wear" or "Did you know that Uncle Frank used to play semi-pro baseball?" There may be interesting things in the senior living homes to excite young visitors, too, like aviaries, fish tanks, game rooms, or live music. 2. Invent some games to help seniors and young people interact. Make a set of conversation cards that your children can share with their senior friend, both answering, "What was your favorite subject in school?" or "Did you ever go to a live concert?" "Who was your first crush from the movies or television?" or "What food do you never want to see on your plate?" may inspire some deep sharing or a lot of giggles. Either way, the generations will learn about each other. Another time you might have a spelling bee with the words from your first grader's list. 3. Find out about other people in the senior living facility. By greeting others who live in the same area as your loved one, you can show your children that all people matter. If you take a treat or decoration to your own friend, you can take along extras for your child to give to roommates or table mates. Even little children can make greeting cards; shy youngsters can offer a small flower; or preteens can demonstrate a magic trick. Ask your teen what they might share: a piano piece, a rap song, the recollection of an amazing play in that week's football game. If they are prepared in advance, they may be less hesitant to open up to loved ones and strangers alike. 4. Teach your young people something about their senior loved one. Go through the photo album before your visit. Point out that Grandma was once a bride, Cousin Ted was a champion bowler, Auntie Fran had red hair and thirteen children! Little details about your relative's life can show your youngsters that these are real people whom they will visit, not just someone aging or unknown. Empathy is a skill which can be taught. Don't forget: they may be visiting you someday! Prairie Homestead yvonne@prairiehomestead.org prairiehomestead.org 1605 W. May Street Wichita KS 67213 (316) 263-8264 Talking (and Listening) to Your Senior Loved One
As people age, conversation can become more difficult. Your senior friend or relative may be just as interested as ever in what you have to say, but physical changes can simply make it too hard to talk and listen. As bones age and change shape, the function of the rib cage is affected. Muscles associated with breathing can also weaken. Years of smoking or exposure to chemicals, decreased heart function and obesity make it harder to speak loudly and clearly or to sustain conversation for a period of time. Hearing decreases, too, and constantly straining to hear is stressful. You may have traveled a long way or taken time away from your job to visit with your loved one, only to confront long silences and awkward pauses. But there are ways to make your visit with your friend comfortable and meaningful for both of you.
Most important of all, in communicating with your senior loved one, is to remember to listen. If you hurry in, say what's on your mind, and rush away, the other person may never have a chance to express what they have been thinking about. They have years of experience and plenty of time to reflect over a long life, and it will be a blessing and benefit to make sure they have time to talk. A great opening question is, "What do you want me to know today?" You may learn a fascinating story of their childhood, a forgotten bit of history or just how much they love and appreciate your visit. Prairie Homestead yvonne@prairiehomestead.org prairiehomestead.org 1605 W. May Street Wichita KS 67213 (316) 263-8264 |
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