Have you noticed that your elderly loved one is disengaged? Maybe when you talk to your elderly loved one they aren’t communicating back with you. You might notice that they seem to be drifting off into their thoughts when you speak to them. You might also notice that your elderly loved one avoids your calls when they normally wouldn’t. If you find that your elderly loved one is disengaged, there are some things that you can do to help.

Keep Calm

The first and most important thing that you can do if your elderly loved one is feeling disengaged is to keep calm. You don’t want to get on them about how they are acting or what they are doing. This will likely make things worse. However, if you can stay calm and compassionate when interacting with your elderly loved one, they will see that you are there to listen. They will see that you are there to take the best care of them. This might help them to start interacting with you more.

Creating a Great Support System

You might find that your elderly loved one is disengaging because they are lonely. They may not feel that others are there for them. If this is the case, one thing that you can do is to create a great support system for them. This might include neighbors, friends, family members, church members, elder care providers, or others, too. You can even create a schedule for when these people interact with your elderly loved one. This will ensure your loved one has people talking to them regularly.

Do Something with Them

Another thing that you can do if your elderly loved one is feeling disengaged is to do something with them. Your elderly loved one might just need to get out of their house. You can take them with you when you are picking up your children. You can take them to the grocery store when you are doing your own shopping. Another great idea would be to have them over often for a family dinner.

Hiring Regular Elder Care Providers

Hiring regular elder care providers is another great way to get your elderly loved one reengaged. By having people in their home, your elderly loved one might feel more in touch with the world. They might feel as if they have people by their side at all times. This can help them to stay in touch with you and others in their life, as well.

Conclusion

If your elderly loved one is disengaged, there are many things that you can do to help. With the tips mentioned above, you can help your elderly loved one to start reengaging with their family members and friends.

Sources
https://medlineplus.gov/depression.html

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Dulles, VA, please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 782-3655.