Causecast

by SARAH NELSON, Contributing Writer

Never underestimate the incredible insight the older generation has to share. Whether its with your own grandparents or your elderly next door neighbor, here are some ideas on how you can brighten the life of a senior citizen, as well as your own.

Step One: Share stories.

Senior citizens have vast amounts of knowledge and decades of experience under their belts. Some of them fought in a war before they were eligible to vote, witnessed the explosion of the Civil Rights movement or watched in awe as a man walked on the moon for the first time. You’ll never know until you ask! Find out what your elderly friends have to share.

At a loss for words? Here’s a few ideas to get the conversation rolling:

• Ask them to pull out old photo albums. Looking through their past will bring back a flood of memories and generate easy conversation.

• Come up with a list of topics. Talk politics. Talk sports. Ask their opinion on current events. If all else fails, there ’s always the weather to fall back on.

• Recording the stories and opinions of your senior friends will give them the opportunity to share their experiences with a wider audience and ensure their stories won’t be forgotten. You can help them record their experiences in a word document or even a blog! Better yet, get out your digital camcorder and make a documentary.

Step Two: Share a hobby.

Spending quality time together doesn’t have to be all conversation and photo sharing. Find an activity you both enjoy.

• Do some digging. Find out what kind of things they like to do. Watch golf. Play cards. Brush up on your Jeopardy skills. Enjoy classic films together.

• Introduce them to a hobby of yours. Teach them some Texas Hold ’Em or try introducing them to the World Wide Web.

• Try starting a vegetable garden together. Spending time planting seeds and working together to take care of your project will give you a common interest and something you both can be invested in.

• Make it a date! Once you find a hobby you both enjoy, set a regular time to get together.

Step Three: Cook a meal.

Instead of dining out, try cooking a meal together. Good food is the key to any human heart, right? Chances are you could get in on some pretty amazing secret recipes.

• Find out if they have any family recipes they would be willing to share with you. Or share one of your own.

• Schedule one night a week to share a meal with your senior friend. Keep things simple – make it a taco or spaghetti night.

• Not every elderly person has grandchildren and other family to spend the holidays with. Take advantage of the holiday season to invite an elderly person (or couple) to celebrate the season with you. It’s a great opportunity to cultivate your own culinary skills and spread the holiday cheer.

Step Four: Lend a hand.

The average chore can become an exceptional pain for someone who may be moving slower with age or suffering from arthritis.

• Many seniors don’t drive and can be stranded at home unless someone else takes the wheel for them. Find out what errands need to be done and take them with you. Even just a regular ride to the local grocery store can be a big help!

• Volunteer to take charge of the landscaping. If you have a senior living next door, just cut their grass whenever you cut yours. You’ll get double the workout and it saves them the hassle of having to pay someone else to do it.

• Help out with their pets! As much as we all love our pets, their care can sometimes become a burden. Make yourself the official dog walker.

Step Five: Look for local opportunities to serve.

There are lots of organizations geared to enrich the lives of seniors and they can always use your help. You can start with your nearest assisted living community and see what they are looking for in terms of volunteers.

• Check with your local Alzheimer’s Association. They are always looking for volunteers to help with Alzheimer’s patients and to provide respite care for families who act as the primary care givers.

• Little Brother Friend to the Elderly is a national program that partners volunteers with Senior citizens. It’s kind of like Big Brother and Sisters, but the opposite. You can volunteer to visit an elderly person in need. Drive the Meal on Wheels Mobile, or invite them to spend the holiday with you. Find your local chapter and see what opportunities are available near you.

• For other ways to volunteer with the elderly, check out the Volunteer Family, a network of volunteer organizations with opportunities to serve. They also have some great ideas of creative ways to get involved – like host a “senior” prom at a retirement home.

• You can support a senior, even from a distance! The Senior Angels program matches volunteers with seniors looking for a penpal. You can brighten your friend’s day by sending them letters.

Photo by NazarethCollege, flickr.