Caring for the elderly

Caring for the elderly in our lives should be practised

There is an old adage which says that as we become senior citizens, our characters grow similar to that of children: stubborn, sensitive and attention-craving. Elderly care is an emotionally challenging process for all the parties involved. The caregivers, who are mostly children caring for their aged parents, must freely forgive the latter’s shortcomings and ensure the best care for them.

In today’s fast-moving world, adults are increasingly caught up in their work and surrounding matters. Asian values, however, highlight our duty to care for parents as they once did for us. Most of us are willing to do this but are unsure of how to provide good care for the aged while managing our own lives. Therefore, here are some tips on eldercare for the concerned younger generation.

We’re all in this together

As soon as an elder shows signs of needing care, gather all family members together and discuss about eldercare. Make a list of responsibilities and divide them among all members. Some of your family members may not be very pleased with the thought of looking after an aged person, but remind them that being a family means caring for one another: - something they would also require in their old age. When each family member plays a part, the aging will feel loved and cared for.

Happy (nutritious) meal

Elderly people in general should avoid salty and spicy food. If you are not cooking for your family, team up with the cook and prepare a weekly menu of nutritious food for them. Talk to your grandmother to find out her favourite foods and try to incorporate them into the menu.

Outdoor moments

A simple walk in the park is enough to give a person a healthy feel as spending time indoors would not be beneficial to their health. Take time to bring them out. Change that Sunday lunch to a picnic by the waterfall or a weekend outing with the family. Not only does going outdoors make your loved ones feel happy and rejuvenated, you also get to strengthen family ties. Senior citizen Hasimah Kasah said, “I really enjoy doing outdoors activities with my children and grandchildren. It makes me feel so happy.”

Bridging the gap

Those who are bedridden are much more difficult to entertain since bringing them outdoors is practically impossible. A simple solution is to bring children to meet the elderly since they like to interact with kids. The upbringing of children should include regular time spent with the aged ones in the family.

Expert assistance

Don’t be afraid to seek expert assistance if you are not sure about how to care for the elderly, especially when caring for senior citizens with mental health issues or terminal diseases. “I take my parents for medical check up at least once in three months in order to monitor their health,” said Mohd Idzham Baharudin, 25, an accountant with Telekom Malaysia Berhad. In Malaysia, the National Council of Senior Citizens is available for consultation, as are medical personnel throughout the country. Keep things positive when speaking with your loved ones. Always provide the assurance that you are there for them in times of need.

(By Nur Affizza Binti Azmi)