Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Communicating with the Elderly
• Method 2 of 3: Caring for Elderly Relatives and Friends
• Method 3 of 3: Valuable Seniors Experience
• Tips
• Warnings

Dealing with older people can be challenging. Sometimes it may feel like we have nothing in common with people who are older than us. However, older people have invaluable experience and knowledge. Their advice can help young people cope with difficult life situations. Therefore, it is very important to learn to treat older people with respect.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Communicating with the Elderly

1. 1 Treat older people with respect. Even if you grew up in a family in which it is customary to address friends' parents simply by name, you should not follow your usual rule in every situation. Many older people expect to be addressed in a respectful way, using “you” and first name and patronymic.
   • Always address an older person to "you", unless he himself offers to switch to "you".
   • If a person offered to call him simply by his first name, without a patronymic, or "Uncle Lesha" or "Grandmother Tanya", respect his desire. If you continue to address him formally, you may offend.

If you are unsure of how to address a person correctly, you can ask them how they would like you to address them.

1. 1 Offer help. As people age, they often lose their former strength, agility and sense of balance, and the daily tasks become more difficult for them. Even a little help on your part can make life easier for an older person and show you respect.
   • Of course, if you try to always be polite and kind to others, regardless of their age, for example, holding the door in front of the person following you, this is very good. However, remember that this gesture is especially important for older people with a cane or walker.
   • Make room for older people on public transport, whether on the subway, tram, or bus. Elderly people need rest more than young people.
   • You can also offer help to an elderly person in the store.For example, you can help him take the desired product from a shelf that is too high or too low. You can also ask the elderly person to bring shopping bags or put groceries in the trunk.
2. 2 Be patient. Older people walk slower than younger people, which means that they can find it difficult to complete even the simplest tasks. For example, elderly people can cross the road for a long time. Show respect and patience with older people, and try not to rush them. Put yourself in their shoes.
   • If an elderly person is slowly getting off a bus, subway, or elevator, or even just walking down the street in front of you, do not push or rush forward. Do not rush the elderly person, so that he does not worry, much less fall.
   • Don't get angry if an older person pays for purchases too long. Instead, be understanding with the help you need. For example, you could help an elderly person to unload groceries from a shopping cart or to put them in a bag.
3. 3 You should not treat an elderly person as a disabled person. Although many older people have health problems and need special care, aging is different for everyone. Treating an older person as if they have poor eyesight or hearing can put them in an awkward position. For example, if you constantly raise your voice when talking to an older person, you are behaving inappropriately towards him. If you're not sure if a person has vision or hearing problems, it's best to ask.
   • Be polite. Do not ask directly: "Do you hear poorly?" Better to clarify more delicately: "Am I not speaking too quietly?"

Method 2 of 3: Caring for Elderly Relatives and Friends

1. 1 Visit them. Older people often feel lonely because they don't interact with people as often. This is especially true for older people who live in a nursing home. Make sure to spend time with older loved ones. This will show that they are important to you.
   • If you are very busy and cannot often visit your close elderly people, call them often. Make it a goal to call your loved one every week.
   • It is not necessary to visit only a loved one in a nursing home. Many of these institutions welcome volunteers who come to and communicate with single people.
2. 2 Show interest in their lives. Don't assume that nothing new is happening in an older person's life if they are not as active as they used to be. Many older people are active. They live fulfilling and fulfilling lives, even if they are just playing cards, walking in the park, or doing gardening.
   • When visiting or calling your loved one, be sure to ask them about their hobby.
   • If your grandfather, aunt, uncle, or other elderly relative has a hobby, take the time to do what your relative loves together. This will show that what your loved one is doing is very important to you.
3. 3 Don't try to control their lives. While an elderly person may need your help, such as cleaning or opening a bank card, you shouldn't think of them as completely helpless.
   • Offer help to older people, but if they can make decisions on their own, respect that right.

Method 3 of 3: Valuable Seniors Experience

1. 1 Appreciate their opinion. Don't jump to the conclusion that older people are far from what is happening in the world. In fact, older people can force you to look at a problem from a different angle thanks to their extensive life experience.
   • If your opinion differs from that of the older person, do not argue with him. Talk politely and let each of you give your point of view.
   • Maintain eye contact with the person when they give you advice or give you feedback. If he feels that you are not listening or listening inattentively, he will decide that you do not care.
2. 2 Ask for advice. Seniors have invaluable life experiences that can help you. Talk to someone from the older generation about whether they have encountered a similar situation and how they got out of it. Situations can be very different:
   • you have problems at school due to academic performance or bullying by classmates;
   • you quarreled with your loved one;
   • you are not sure whether to accept a new job offer.
3. 3 Learn about their traditions. Elderly relatives can share family stories with you, tell you about the customs and traditions of past generations. It is unlikely that you will be able to obtain such information elsewhere. Ask them to share what they know about your family's traditions and your background. Thanks to this, you can learn a lot about your origins.
   • Creating a family tree is a fun activity that will be interesting not only for you, but also for your elderly relative. There are websites where you can look for more information based on what you have learned from the stories of your elders.

Tips

• Even a small gesture of kindness, such as a smile or greeting, can mean a lot to an older person. Look for opportunities to connect with older people.
• Do not talk down to older people, thinking that they cannot understand you. If you need to explain something to a person, for example, a question related to new technologies, speak in simple language, but not in a patronizing tone.
• Sometimes the best way to express how you feel about an older person is to say it bluntly. Tell your loved one that you respect and admire them. This will help the older person know that you value them.

Warnings

• Show understanding if your attempts to participate in the life of an older person stumble upon a wall of rudeness, anger and irritation. Behind the external coldness can hide pain or disappointment, and rudeness in this case is just a way of self-defense. In spite of everything, remain polite and understanding.