We have a lot to learn from previous generations. That’s why we care for them and love them as they get older: because they did the same for us. During the experience, we grow a lot as people, and for good reason. There’s quite a few things you can learn from looking after an elderly person or relative, and here are a few of the best things that can be taught that everybody should know for their own lives.
How To Respond To Emergencies
We’ll all have to deal with an emergency at some point in our lives, and working in health and social care, or simply providing some own home care is one of the best ways to learn damage control. When you have something like MedicAlert.systems working for you to help out in taking care of someone when you’re not around, you realize it doesn’t even have to be a one-person job. Teamwork is the best way to keep an eye on a situation, even when the other person is an automated system!
How To Effectively Deal With Responsibility
You learn how to better pace yourself and how to take care of changes in a daily routine in ways that keep your sanity in check. It also means you’ll find yourself asking for help more often, which isn’t a bad thing. It means you’re better at communicating your own needs and depending upon other people, as self-sufficiency isn’t realistic in most cases.
You’ll know what you can take on in the future, and you’ll be able to handle anything that comes your way in the form of physical and emotional troubles. There’s also a lot of practical know-how that anyone would want to have.
How To Listen (and communicate better)
You might already think you know how to listen, whether because you’re a natural listener or you’ve had practice with kids. There’s always something more to know about how to properly listen.
Listening also means you learn how to communicate via ways other than speaking, especially with hearing problems. Your unconditional love for an elderly parent, for example, can get you both through any troubles. When you help them, you get so much back in return.
You Can Learn The Wisdom Of The Ages
This one is more an implicit action, but just by spending time with them and sitting down with them can mean you’re lifted into a whole world of stories. This kind of advice can always be fitted into our own daily lives, so it’s definitely worth it to know.
If you work in a care home, you’ll hear all sorts of stories on a daily basis, ones that can make you chuckle often enough. You’ll get some good tips on how to get out of sticky situations! If you’re looking after a relative, it allows you to spend more time together as a family unit.
So there’s a lot to learn from looking after our elders, both big and small. We’re all compassionate people deep down; bring it out in the best way.
I love caring elderly because most of them will tell stories about their younger years lives their success story how they manage difficulties and succeed etc.
We can have very random, upside down, mixed up night and day days but they are all wonderful in their own way. Once I stopped trying to control the day and I just went with the flow, it has become much more enjoyable and less of a chore. Still exhausted at times but wouldn’t change our mixed up days together for anything. Wonderful post Christy xx
Great to hear from you, Dawn! You’ve got a motivating spirit and so glad we’ve connected <3 As we head into the weekend, I hope yours includes some moments for yourself :)
I’ll so glad we connected too, our paths destined to cross I think. I’m hopefully attending an Irish Music Concert and will blog about it if I make it there. Have a wonderful weekend xx
Ooooh if you went to the concert I hope you had a wonderful time! I was at a rock concert on the weekend so we both were music lovers (well we’re always that way, actually, loving the tunes!). Thanks for the wonderful words, my friend <3
I hope you had a fabulous time at your concert. I do d make it to mine and it was just uplifting with happiness. Loving our music. Will write a post about the evening xxx
So true! A great and well written post about so important topic :)
Thanks for appreciating it!
Thank you Michael for your kind shares :)
Thank you very much, Christy! Your postings are so informative. Thank you for your efforts and have a nice week ahead. ;-) Michael
So nice! May your week be wonderful too :)
These people are like time machines and compendium of wisdom. They carry all the good lessons the younger generations need to apply and thrive. God bless our old folks…
What a wonderful way to express it, JP :)
I know this firsthand Christy. My husband is 2 decades older than me. Hence, that is what my new upcoming book is all about – living and loving a senior. <3
I didn’t realize your hubby and you have that much of an age difference, Debby. I’m looking forward to this new book of yours <3
Thanks Christy. Hopefully by mid November! <3
Woohoooooo!
Crossing fingers :) xo
Your thoughts are wise and compassionate, Christy. Funny thing, I don’t mind at all being called an old woman or a crone. However, I still haven’t accepted being placed among the elderly even though I had my 80th birthday in December. Gosh! I’m almost 81!
There’s nothing to be ashamed of being called a senior at all, Ina, so I’m glad you’re feeling great and taking pride in your age :) I think we get even better with age, like a fine wine! Woohoo you’re rocking the 80s <3
Great post!
Thanks for sharing
And thank YOU for your feedback
True ! I have learnt a lot while taking care of my parents & parents-in-law !!
Awww how wonderful that you care for them <3
In the hustle & bustle of the modern world, it seems sometimes we lose our way to the important things….caring for elders, being one such important piece of our responsibilities.
You’re right that we get used to the fast-paced life.. let’s stop and chat to those around us, learn from them, and provide them the care they deserve.. Thanks my friend
Christy,
I love this post. I also believe that we must learn to listen. Because of that we have two ears and one mouth, to speak less and to listen more .That is very important in life.
Thank you
Your words of more ears than mouth is a great one, Ben ~ Let us open our ears and truly listen to the elders :)
Great advice, as always, Christy. Now that I’m moving into “elder” status (some would say I’m there), I’ll need to share it with my younger ones. :)
You’re doing exactly that through your writing on your websites, Norah :)
Thank you, Christy. That’s an encouraging thought.
If we listen to the elders of the world it can save us some heartache of bad decisions because they have been there and there is much to learn.
Exactly! We just need to tap into their minds :)
My sisters and I play “not it” with our mother, who isn’t really old yet but is already turning into her mother. Her mother is declining and it’s weird how the family dynamic changes and slides around.
It’s interesting how so many of us want to be different than our mothers and then turn into them..
Good post, Christy. Another reason to encourage us to reach out to make friends with the younger generation too!
xx,
mgh
Yes! Wow, and that’s like what you were saying before in your post about not judging the younger generations. Funny how sometimes our posts are related, Madelyn. Big hugs as we start a new week xx
I have noted that as well, Christy – as I look for Related Content links. Great minds think alike? lol :)
xx,
mgh
<3 Awww
Good post, Christy. My wife and I were the primary caregivers for her mother and aunt in their final days. Fortunately, we were retired and had the time to give. Unfortunately, we didn’t get much help and that was hard. Their experiences cause me to fear my own impending time of dependency.
Thank you for sharing that, John. I have a feeling those experiences have left you with a compassion for caregivers that only adds to your wisdom xx
Thanks for your kind words, Christy.
It’s the truth
Uniting with our elderly relatives is essential.
There are societies that revere the elderly.They have earned a special place with their aged eyes of wisdom. Whether they are kind or nasty, there is a treasure chest to draw from.
I think there is too, much of let’s put them in a home, instead of our home.
Medical needs are a huge consideration, but many are simply old and seemingly in the way.
We are a society that fawns over youth and beauty.
It’s time we had a good look at ourselves!
Let’s look at ourselves and be proud of our facial lines that show experience and moments of laughter! You’re right about revering the elderly for the treasure trove of their minds. Another great comment you’ve left here, Resa! <3
I don’t know if you have seen this post over at A Broken Blue Sky; https://abrokenbluesky.wordpress.com/2017/09/11/validation-through-empathy/ but there are some lessons in there in both videos. The last video being very emotional just watching. :)
I’ll go take a look at the videos as I haven’t seen them yet ~ Thanks for the recommendation in advance, Liz :)
You’re welcome. They are touching.
Yes, very heartfelt! They were well worth watching
Wonderful post, Christy. With my mother, who has Alzheimer’s, I’m learning that my actions are the best way to show my love for her. Thanks for this!
The actions of love are beautiful ~ and your love for your mom streams through in every word you wrote, Jill <3
Thank you, Christy. <3
<3 And thank YOU for your support here, Jill. I hope your week is going well