​What Senior Adults Really Want You to Know | Residence 600 Salina, KS

 Are you taking the time to really listen to what your senior friend has to say or are you assuming that you already know? If your conversations generally revolve around the weather or a favorite television competition, you might want to dig a little deeper and find out more about your loved one. In doing this, you will have a richer relationship and be better able to help improve the life of your special senior. They might want you to know things like these:

• Don't always try to cheer us up. Don't be afraid to talk about the hard issues, like illness, upcoming medical procedures, matters of faith, even death. These things are on the minds of most people, no matter what their age. Trying to put on a cheerful attitude at all times can close you off from hearing the real fears or expectations of your senior loved one. 
• Our past was interesting, too. Seniors may love hearing about their grandchildren or nephews and nieces—the ballet recitals, ball games, graduations and new babies. Sharing pictures and stories of these moments with them can be precious. But seniors have lived rich lives themselves: played ball, danced and raised families. They started careers, failed at things, lost loved ones, found love. Take time to ask about these events from the past while you are part of their present.
• We have valuable things to tell you. Economic depressions, war years, historical events, political campaigns, societal shifts: seniors have lived through these things, some of them more than once. Reading about other times in history books is one thing but listening to seniors can give you a vivid picture of noteworthy events.
• There are ways you can help. New prescriptions or treatments can be confusing. Working through explanations together can be helpful. A senior might want to talk to an old friend or distant relative but negotiating the telephone or Zoom could be just too complicated. Simply offering to be there to help with a phone call or doctor visit might be an important aid for a senior.
• It may be time to reveal some secrets. People from earlier eras might have hidden information about divorces, mental health, children given in adoption or other sensitive matters. Better informed now, your loved one might be ready to pass along information to you that could be helpful to understand family relationships or health patterns. Make sure that your senior knows that they can confide in you without being judged. Be prepared for what you might hear!

 
Sometimes people simply want to be in your presence, comfortable with being together in friendship or family relationship. Playing their favorite songs from the past or paging together through old magazines can be openings for important conversations. Seniors have had lives which might surprise you, cause you sadness or delight you, but you will do yourself and your loved one a service by listening to what they want to say.
 
Kim Rayas
Residence 600
kim@residence600.com
www.residence600.com
600 E. Elm
Salina KS 67401
(785) 822-1300