Staying in touch is so important for the elderly.
Life is lived at such a fast pace nowadays and I am as guilty as others in not always making enough time to keep in touch with elderly relatives . We are all so wrapped up in work and family demands we don’t always take the time to think of others. However staying in touch with elderly relatives is so important.
So many elderly people are extremely lonely and isolated which is why the telephone helpline “The Silver line” was established by Esther Rantzen. A quick phone call just to let them know what you and your family are doing and asking about them makes them still feel they are part of someone’s life and important to you.
Another lovely idea is a card to say ” I am thinking of you ” is a longer term visual reminder. Again such a simple gesture that someone living alone would really appreciate. With the advent of social media we all have more and more ways to stay in touch and yet we don’t always. Many elderly people are quite happy to try and embrace technology and I know of several 90 + year olds who are very comfortable with mobile phones and computers. Many families have introduced Ipads to their elderly relatives and are now staying in touch using Skype or Facebook.
After all we all need to love and feel loved, it is part of human nature.
