Helping the Elderly in Your Community: 6 Ways You Can Help
If you’re passionate about assisting seniors, you may be surprised at how much of a difference you can make simply by volunteering your time. Seniors can struggle with social isolation and may need help doing everyday tasks.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to get involved in your community, from food and meal assistance to companionship. Here are six key ways you can take steps to help the elderly in your area today:
1. Take Care of Yard Work and Household Labor
Many seniors have physical limitations, like mobility issues or disabilities, that prevent them from doing household tasks.
These tasks may include:
- Raking leaves
- Cleaning the gutters
- Repairing household items
- Clearing the house of safety hazards and fall risks
- Cleaning and dusting
- Power washing the exterior of the house
- Washing cars
- Cleaning out the garage
- Decluttering
- Doing dishes
- Doing laundry
- Moving furniture
One of the best ways you can improve a senior’s quality of life is to offer free or low-cost assistance with household labor. Many professional household services cost too much for the average senior. By handling these tasks, you can save an older adult significant stress and financial strain.
2. Prepare and Store Nutritious Meals
Do you know a senior who could benefit from meal prep? Nutritious meals can be time-consuming to prepare, cook, and store, especially for seniors with health problems. Many professional meal preparation services are unaffordable for seniors who may be on fixed incomes.
Helping a senior with preparing and storing meals can benefit both their budget and health. Access to healthy meals is essential for people of all ages.
You can even assist with making grocery lists and shopping for each meal’s ingredients. Then, you can designate one day of the week to come over and cook meals that can be reheated easily.
3. Volunteer for Community Kitchens and Cafeterias
If your area’s senior or community center has a cafeteria or kitchen of some sort, offer to volunteer your time. Many soup kitchens also provide meals to the elderly, particularly those who are homeless and have no access to fresh foods.
Some centers have official volunteer signups, but it never hurts to ask even if they don’t have any. Most centers that serve seniors will happily allow you to help with preparing and serving lunches and dinners for the community.
4. Offer Your Companionship
There are professional companionship services, but some seniors are hesitant to hire them due to cost and stigma. If you know of an older adult in your life or community who doesn’t get much social support, volunteer to spend some time with them.
Some seniors just need someone to talk to. Offer to spend a few afternoons a week visiting, making lunch together, and going on outings with the person. Sincere companionship can go a long way for people in any circumstances.
5. Run Errands for Seniors in Need
There are plenty of other errands besides grocery shopping that seniors need help with. Whether it’s a close family member or a friend in your community, offering to handle these tasks can go a long way in enhancing their quality of life.
Some examples of common errands include:
- Dropping off and picking up dry cleaning
- Paying bills in person
- Depositing or withdrawing money
- Picking up takeout meals
- Ordering and picking up groceries
- Going to health appointments
- Visiting department stores and clothing shops
- Gathering pet care supplies
For financial tasks, try to bring the person with you for trust and transparency. Many financial institutions require the account holder to be there in person, so you can simply assist with transportation.
6. Provide Free Transportation
Not all seniors own a car or have the ability to drive. You can help immensely by offering your time and transportation services for free. This is especially useful if your area doesn’t have an accessible bus or subway system for public use.
You can take your elder companion to appointments, stores, and loved ones’ houses. Along the way, you can socialize and offer the companionship they may have been missing.
Bringing Companionship and Assistance to Local Seniors
Unfortunately, there are many seniors without a support system or household help. You can change their lives for the better by volunteering your time, transportation, and resources for various tasks. Sometimes, simply being a good friend is worth its weight in gold for seniors in need.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
