Social interaction is a crucial component when it comes to aging joyfully, especially since aging adults are more susceptible to experiencing feelings of loneliness. Due to lack of transportation, living alone, and experiencing the loss of loved ones, seniors tend to feel more and more isolated. Senior Helpers St. Louis encourages aging individuals to maintain a sense of connection and continue to stay in touch and interact with family and friends. Hosting dinner parties is a great way to do just that. There may be some challenges faced when it comes to having a caregiver around while entertaining friends.
Here are some tips on alleviating any stress this may bring.
Communicate with Caregivers
It is beneficial to have a written plan of care that has been reviewed by the senior, family, and caregiver. Within the plan, be clear about any boundaries that the senior may have, for example, privacy during certain times of the day or when friends are over. These boundaries are important because they will remind the caregiver and senior that their relationship is and should be a professional one. Lastly, mutual respect should be established between both seniors and caregivers; providing compassionate care should be the caregiver's priority.
Communicate with Friends
Giving friends a heads up and providing a proper introduction between them and the caregiver is a great way to break the ice. There's nothing to be ashamed of. After all, the caregiver is there to ensure that quality of life is maintained--not to babysit. Having a caregiver can sometimes feel taboo. Participating in open discussions with friends and family will be an empowering experience for all. Not to mention, it may be surprising to see how many people can relate to these sorts of situations. In fact, it might help them.
Plan Your Gathering Ahead of Time
If the senior wants to have gatherings or dinner parties at their home, it's important they meet with the caregiver beforehand to plan out times for meal preparation, grooming, medications, and other daily needs, so there is little interruption. Whether the plan is to cook for or with friends, it's always a good idea to review all the materials needed and purchase beforehand. Take into account what the recipe calls for, centerpieces, games, place settings, and beverages. This will help ensure everything runs smoothly, and no trips back to the supermarket are needed.
Have Proper Safety Protocols During Dinner Parties
It's likely that other aging individuals will be in attendance. When there are multiple people in a room with mobile or cognitive impairments, it's important to prep the house accordingly. This can be done by tacking down loose rugs, putting away sharp objects, choosing food that's easy to eat, and having good lighting at the dinner table. Also, having emergency contacts on hand and asking everyone, in private, to disclose if there are any possible medical emergencies is always a good idea while dinner parties.
Have Fun
The most important thing to remember is to have fun while entertaining. Whether the caregiver is permanent or temporary, this is a new way of life that may take some getting used to. However, that doesn't mean it has to be a negative experience. Incorporating games into the evening is a great way to loosen everyone up and have a good time. Try playing card games like Spoons or even lawn games like Bocce Ball, or simply make a playlist of everyone's favorite tunes and have some good conversation.
Senior Helpers St. Louis offers a comprehensive suite of programs and services that support aging-in-place. Contact us today for an assessment and to see if home care is the next step.