Why It Is Important to Listen to Your Elderly Loved One

Learning to be a good listener does not happen instantly, in fact, it takes a lot of practice, especially when caring for an elderly parent. Professional companion care at home trains for this role and they learn to listen over years of practice caring for seniors. Even if you are not a professional caregiver and just a family caregiver you need to learn to actively listen to your senior loved one. By allowing them to speak and express themselves freely you are helping boost their quality of life.

Companion care at home will have tons of practice but even they may benefit from the helpful tips below.

Listen to How They Are Saying Something

Not only should you or companion care at home be actively listening, but you also need to be paying attention to how they’re saying something. If they’re telling you something hurts and they are actively in pain, it may be time to call their doctor. If they are saying they’re okay but showing symptoms of pain that’s important to note too. You need to notice multiple different things at once and attention to detail is going to be so crucial when looking after an elderly parent. This can be exceptionally hard if you don’t see your parents often and another reason why hiring a caregiver, even just part-time, can help your parents age in place for longer.

Understand Why They May Not Be Saying Something

Sometimes the opposite can happen with a senior and they choose to say nothing about pains or problems because they are hoping you notice and care enough to ask. Sometimes they don’t say anything because they don’t want to be a bother or a burden. It is your job to pay attention to the small things or find someone who can be their companion and report any problems to you. By simply noticing things and bringing them up you may help them communicate their needs and struggles. Communication starts with observation.

Put Yourself In Their Shoes

It’s easy to forget that your senior loved one’s body is changing and their mental state is probably changing too. When they seem to not be listening to you or they seem stubborn and you get frustrated it’s easy to shut down and stop listening to them and stop paying attention to them. But take a moment to step back and place yourself in their body and shoes for a minute. Can you see their side? Can you see why something might upset them? No matter who you are, it’s important to see someone else’s side and opinions.

Give Them Time

When a senior is talking it’s easy to want to speak for them to hurry the conversation. However, this can come off as rude and they may stop talking to you after a while. When you are having a conversation with your loved one give them time to think and form a sentence. Don’t rush this process. Just because your loved one is taking their time in responding doesn’t make them slow or forgetful. They just need to think things through a little longer. You need to learn to actively listen to your senior loved one. By allowing them to speak and express themselves freely you are helping boost their quality of life.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Companion Care at Home Services in Marietta GA please get in touch with the caring staff at CaraVita Home Care today. (770) 643-1712