How To

How to Reach Out to the Elderly in Your Community

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(7 Ratings)

If you have a little time to spare, consider spending some of it with senior citizens in your community. You may be able to make a big difference in someone's life just by giving an hour or so each week.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Sheet Music For Piano
  • Flowers
  1. Step 1

    Volunteer to read out loud, play board games or play the piano and sing at a local nursing home or extended care facility. Many seniors love to have visitors, especially if their family lives in a different city or state.

  2. Step 2

    Visit your local senior center or community center, and ask about volunteer opportunities. There may be a whole list of possibilities!

  3. Step 3

    Offer to get groceries or run errands for someone at a local semi-independent senior community.

  4. Step 4

    Give a few hours a week to Meals on Wheels, dropping off dinners to elderly residents of your area.

  5. Step 5

    Provide regular rides to someone who no longer drives; ask your local community volunteer coordinators if they know of anyone, or ask at a nearby nursing home.

  6. Step 6

    Join a 'Rent-a-Grandma' program. Many senior centers and care facilities invite parents and children to visit so that elderly residents can spend some time with babies, toddlers and even school-age kids.

  7. Step 7

    Ask at a nursing home if you and your pet can visit. Some facilities like to have people with well-behaved dogs, cats and other small animals visit the residents.

  8. Step 8

    If you are involved with sports and fitness, volunteer to help with physical activities at a local senior center or home.

  9. Step 9

    At holiday times, offer to participate in seasonal or spiritual celebrations at a local nursing home or care facility, or invite a senior to share in a holiday dinner at your home.

Tips & Warnings
  • If you're not sure where to start, look in your telephone directory under 'Senior Citizens' ' you will almost certainly find the contact information you need.
  • If you suspect that a senior you are spending time with may be malnourished, abused or neglected, talk to someone who has the authority to handle the situation, or contact the senior's extended family directly.
  • If you come up against any other problem or situation you can't deal with, report it. You may suspect that your senior friend is the target of a scam artist, or may feel that your friend's mental or physical health is deteriorating unusually rapidly. Either way, talk to someone who can make a difference.

Comments  

jestastic said

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on 2/17/2009 this is such a wonderful article 5 stars absolutely!

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