Should I help take care of the elderly?
I know some of you have been inspired to take care of the elderly or you enjoy doing exactly that, and I want to encourage you to continue to do that. There is a real need for caregivers of all types and that is a looming crisis out there that you can help with right now. There is the opportunity to help, to engage, to be a part of something big and something important. We’re all aging and people are lasting and living longer than ever. The question is, are you going to be a part of the solution that is going to help society or part of those who complain about it and sit back?
What if I already have a job?
Some of you right now are thinking that you really do like taking care of people but may be busy at another job. If taking care of the elderly is your passion, that’s what you should do. You see, right now there’s a lot of caregivers that are needed to take care of the elderly population, and that crisis is only getting worse because more people need help for longer, but there are fewer caregivers and family members that are willing to do it or are trained properly to do it. So if you are inspired, and you feel the calling, then I encourage you to do exactly that.
Could I just volunteer at an assisted living home?
You can start by volunteering at a home and see if it’s right for you. Read a book, do a puzzle, play cards, sit and talk, play some music, sing along, whatever it is that you can do to be there and interact. Those care homes can use the extra hand and you don’t need to be the caregiver. If you can just be there providing some company, companionship, or a conversation. That alone would be incredibly helpful to those caregivers, and those seniors need it.
Why is this generation called the silent generation?
One of the saddest things In our society today is that more than half of the people polled feel lonely. I think a lot of that is technology. We look at our phones and all of those things that take us away from talking to each other face to face. There’s a lot of seniors who would just love to have somebody stop by and say hello. It really doesn’t take much. It may not even take a conversation as much as just sitting with them. If you’re sitting in your home watching golf over the weekend, why not go sit with them and watch golf providing companionship and then ask them a question, did you ever play golf? What kind of clubs did you use? Before you know it, you’re going to find out about wooden clubs and how they used to play with just three clubs, and that was it, and they played the whole round with three clubs and 1 ball.
You can do this!
Have those conversations. Take that time. The greatest generation, the silent generation, needs your help and you will truly be a part of the solution by simply being “present”. Volunteering your time is one way. Starting a residential assisted living business with an excellent home with excellent care is another. It’s totally up to you, but you can do both.
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