It takes patience and possibly a number of visits and chats to ascertain the full extent of the needs of an elderly person. Perhaps assistance is needed with shopping and cleaning, transportation and a host of other things. Wherever possible, practical and reliable arrangements should be worked out and implemented.
However it may, therefore, take some tactful yet persistent inquiry on our part to determine just what we can do to help such persons. If we simply make a vague offer, such as: ‘If there’s anything you need, let me know,’ there may be a brisk response: ‘Thank you, but I don’t need anything.’ So be persistent. Find out the needs and likes of older ones before they must ask for help. Therefore, the key to taking care of seniors is time, patience, and love.
