10 Advices for you to make better life for elders
When it comes to speak about ageing, two points of view are common. One comes from economics: 'older people are the richest in society because the majority of them have a real estate properties' and the other comes from welfare: 'elders need facilities in their homes'. Let's analyse both statements, despite the average pension in Spain was in November 995.02€, many elderly people have to help children without work or low income. The second sentence must be an imperative. However, it exists an other harmful reality: too many elders suffer unwanted solitude.
The essential question is: what can I do to help the elderly?
1. Observe: Our colleagues at Fundación Mutua de Propietarios did a great campaign underlining the relevance of that point: watch this video (in Spanish). It's food for thought, isn't it?
2. Make life easier for the elders: Don't you know that person who hardly can drag the shopping cart? If you are in good physical condition, you are able to help them. Is there an older person living in your Owners' Community? You can get to know him/her and respectfully ask him/her what he/she needs.
3. Do not occupy reserved seats: unless you are pregnant or using crutches give up your seat in the bus or tube. Bare in mind that they may become unbalanced and fall. Unless your children use crutches, they should also give up those seats. Offer to swipe his/her card in the public transport.
4. Appreciate old people virtues: experience, wisdom, their capacity to 'thinking out of the box-' their connection with children etc. .
5. Visit them: we are social beings. Do you live far away and can't go to their home or residence? You can call them every day.
6. Respect: there are people who when visiting 'their' elders are uncomfortable because they critize them on how they educate their children and they believe that is 'unfairly', repeat always the same sentences, etc. You must always opt for emphathy and reason if is not possible to talk in a logical way, sometimes 'follow the conversation' and, at other times, distract or stop it. In any case you must never threat them with no come back.
7. Make easy for older people to live alone : hire an 'alert button' that connects them with the health services In order to help them to communicate emergencies. In the same way, buy a mobile phone for them only to call.
8. Protect the elderly: abuse on senior citizens exists. Whether they are in their home 'looked after', they are your neighbours, or if they live in a residence observe if they present: bruises, wounds, erosions, injuries compatible with sexual abuse, seem to have been tied, signs of poor nutrition or they are dirty. In the economic field, check that small unjustified regular amounts have not been extracted from their accounts. If any of these assumptions occur gather evidence to denounce . Don't mistreat: mistreating is a crime.
9. cognitive or degenerative diseases are real: it is impossible to advise against these illnesses are because of its cruelty and quite diverse evolution. In any case, there are consistent evidence that patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease respond to the affection of their relatives. In case you can't cope with the stress of caring for a sick person, ask for help. It is very important that those who take care of themselves get 'rest spaces'.
10. Be empathic with the older people who live in the fifth floor: there are people who don't go out on the street because they don't get over the stairs. What can you do to change this reality? To vote in favour of the lift instalation. It takes a simple votes majority (50.1%) to approve it. In fact in a recent article we explained. In addition our Real Estate Administrators know which aids can be requested to avoid too many costs for you.
You have reached the end of the text. Are you aware of old age problems? If you wish you can be a volunteer in an association that contributes to improve their quality of life. Believe us: you will receive more than you will give!.