Ask, Offer, Help

Remember the old scenario of a Boy Scout helping a little old lady across the street?  Ah, those were the good old days.

These days, it may be wise to NOT grab the elbow of someone on the street corner in order to escort them.  But there IS still something you CAN do.

If you’re in line at the grocery store and you see someone of advanced age ahead of you, or leaving the store around the same time you are, why not offer to walk them to their car, helping them with their groceries.

Same goes for helping someone across the street, a smile and a kind, “would you like some help?” can go a long long way.

Just cuz…

Learn Some History

People are living longer. Unfortunately, many times it is necessary for our older family members to enter an assisted living environment or nursing home. Most of these establishments provide services to help our aging family members maintain their awareness and vitality. And there’s a way for you to help too!

Visit your loved ones as often as possible. Sit and talk. Laugh and reminisce. Ask questions. Get those brain cells working. Ask what it was like “way back in the old days.” Remind your loved ones about the happy times that may have slipped their memories. Learn where they came from and where they’ve been.

Take it a step further and bring a stranger into the conversation. Perhaps there is a gentleman in a nearby room that doesn’t receive very many visitors. Engage him in your conversation. Find out what similarities he may have to your family member – similar memories, similar vacations.

This great generation isn’t going to be around forever. Learn from them. They helped make us who we are and what we are today.