Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Step1
Visit them. Make time in your busy day to spend an hour or so every few weeks visiting with them. If distance is a factor, call them instead. They love knowing there are family members that care about them.
Step2
Listen to them. Sure, a lot of time they repeat the same stories that don’t always seem to have a clear beginning, middle and end. But they love having someone young and fresh to share them with, even if you’ve already heard the story multiple times before. Pay attention while you look as interested as you did the first time around. Don’t fill in the blanks if you already know what’s coming next; let them tell you and react to the details accordingly.
Step3
Send them mail. Most elderly people have not mastered technologically advanced communication such as e-mail, and rely on old-fashioned snail-mail letters. Head to the card store and pick up a card or two, or some stationary, and write them updates about what’s been going on with you or just send a simple "Thinking of You" card. A simple gesture like this can go a long way.
Step4
If possible, take them out. Many elderly people either don’t drive at all or don’t drive anywhere near as much as they used to when they were younger and are often looking for an excuse to get out of their place of residence for awhile. Taking them for a drive to look at the changing leaves in the fall or out for a quiet lunch will give them a change of scenery and improve their mood.
Novice 
