Every gift is a sign of attention and the better you know a person, the better gift you will choose. But what older people need the most, can't be bought in a store… The best gifts don't need money, but a good soul. Remember that an age awaits us all in which these significant gifts will be even more significant!
Here are the five best gifts for the elderly:
1• Attention and Patience
The hectic present environment that surrounds us children distracts and encourages the pace of life that older people find difficult to follow. Without the internet and technology, without a bunch of products and toys, various shops, bars and activities on offer today, life used to look different. Older people who are not actively involved in society and the opportunities provided by (mostly) cities, often say with nostalgia in their voices: "Once upon a time, people socialized more and did not rush so much in all directions".
Age slowly slows down the body at all levels. For some it happens sooner, for others later, while others remain vital for the rest of their lives. But few are older who keep up with modern technologies and endeavors. Older people who spend most of their time at home may feel excluded and lonely with their younger family members who have a day filled with various obligations and activities and even other people. Younger people find it difficult to understand this gap, the intergenerational difference, because most often they do not even have time to think about it and have not lived alone in the past in which the older ones are.
That is why one of the best gifts is attention and patience in the form of devoting not only a certain amount of time to an elderly person, but also to giving full (and not incidental) attention, an opportunity to express and share what is important to him, does not interrupt and be heard to the end.
2• Curiosity and Acceptance
In addition to the above, after listening to the elders, it is possible that you will not agree with them in some respects. In doing so, it is important not to impose one's opinion, but to encourage mutual tolerance.
Try to refrain from criticism if seniors show a lack of understanding for world news. People find it increasingly difficult to change with age, but they can agree that they disagree. We are all different and acceptance is one of the best gifts, as is curiosity for the other side of the story. Instead of arguing about things and opinions you disagree on, ask the elders to remember and tell you how it used to be. You may then better understand and more easily accept their views and values. Older people often carry a treasure trove of interesting stories and life experiences. Show curiosity for them and encourage them to tell you about the past. Recollection will help them not only to maintain a good memory, but also to divert attention from the illnesses and pains they may be currently feeling.
3• Support and Hope
Old age is often accompanied by various losses (loss of job in retirement and thus the loss of colleagues, loss of friends and partners due to death, loss of mobility and good health, sight, hearing (). People in their senior years have been through a lot and are going through a lot, and it is possible that the hardest thing is still waiting for them.
Therefore, support is one of the most important gifts. It is important to show that you are there for the elderly when they need it most. In addition to specific technical support and help, choose your words carefully because for the elderly they can have much more power than you think. You never know when those last words you will address to them will be. The younger ones often act as if they will live forever, but the older ones are more aware of their mortality and this puts special weight on all words and behaviors. Therefore, just one word of support at the right time can change someone’s day, week, month and even the rest of your life.
Hope gives people strength, endurance and determination, but that optimism easily declines with age. Help seniors regain faith in a better (or at least good) tomorrow and see something beautiful in everything around them. Try to use your sense of humor as well, you may be surprised at how much youth is hidden in an older heart. Of course, not everyone likes to joke, but even your simple smile can improve their mood. Don't just guess, but ask them what exactly they want and need, and remember the first gift - attention and patience.
Also keep in mind that sometimes the pain or sadness is unfortunately too strong and in that case it is not desirable to look only at the positive and embellish the difficult reality but to try to understand it. Maybe it is enough to simply be with them in that pain and sorrow, in silence. Any change you want to help them with is a process. Listen to their pace and give them time.
4• Touch and Hug
Age brings physical changes to the skin, hair, joints… and thus affects the overall appearance of a person. These changes that we do not choose for ourselves can be accompanied by internal rejection and older people may feel less valuable, ugly and even extremely lonely and rejected if they (wrongly or correctly) assess that younger people are increasingly avoiding contact with them.
One of our most ordinary touches of their old skin, their hands, can show them that they are not forgotten, that we accept and love them just the way they are. A hug and a kiss on the face also have indescribable value for the elderly. With these small (but actually big) signs of attention, we provide the warmth that every human being needs and deserves to be happy and healthy. No one is too old to touch and hug.
5• Love and Gratitude
Love and gratitude are invaluable and they are the best gifts one can give and receive. They have such a beneficial effect that they even heal, above all the soul. They are shown through all the above, and it is important to use specific words. Unfortunately, the things we are used to, we often take for granted and rarely show gratitude for it or that "thank you" and "I love you" is automatic and somehow empty.
Try to understand things as little as possible, it is important to be aware of every good. Take a little longer to look the older person in the eye and tell them directly that you really love and appreciate them. Try to describe how grateful you are and state what exactly.
With declining physical health, some things become harder to do, but the elderly out of love for their family continue to do so with joy. The feeling that they are still useful and important gives them the strength to get up from the warmth of their bed despite the severity of their pain.
Can you imagine what it’s like for an elderly person who can no longer get up and be useful to their family as they used to? It is always worth remembering and thanking for something from the past. Let it be known that you have not forgotten this and state how it has positively affected your life. Say that you are glad that it is still there and that you can talk about it, share your love, gratitude, various old and new experiences…
These are the best gifts with which you will get to know your elders better. This will make it easier for you to choose your shopping gifts over time. How much of this have you already given to your elders?
