Tips for Spending Time with Elderly Relatives

There are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping and dining with your elderly Grandmother, or other elderly relatives. It can be a lot of fun for you both.

Spending Time with Elderly Relatives Tip #1 - Patience, patience, patience.

Chances are that she will need to use the restroom more, take a break from shopping and walking earlier, and have you repeat what you say once in a while. While it might be frustrating for you to have to wait for her, repeat what you said a few times, and probably walk slower, the benefits certainly outweigh the inconvenience. Just remember that she won't always be there for you to spend time with someday. Relax, take a deep breath, and try to keep your frustrations to yourself (you can vent them later).

Spending Time with Elderly Relatives Tip #2 - Good communication is key.

Chances are that you will have to meet her somewhere. Make sure that you both know exactly what time you are meeting and where. If you are going to pick her up, or if she is going to pick you up, be sure that you both know exactly what time that is going to occur. You don't want to leave her waiting, nor do you want to have to wait and worry about your Grandmother. It is much easier to get your wires crossed than you'd think. You don't want to have a misunderstanding due to miscommunication.

Spending Time with Elderly Relatives Tip #3 - Let her control the schedule.

Once again, this can be frustrating, but there is a good chance that her needs will be greater than yours. She'll probably be ready to leave before you are. However, just because you are letting her control the schedule, you have to let her know of any time commitments you may have. Once that is taken into consideration, it is much easier to let her decide on the order of events.

Spending Time with Elderly Relatives Tip #4 - Suggest places to eat.

If you know what she likes to eat, you might want to suggest some restaurants for lunch. It might just save you from going somewhere that you might not like. Just be sure that there will be at least something that she would like to eat. If you let her pick the place to eat and there isn't much for you on the menu, be honest and prepared to offer some suggestions of your own. Again, communication is important, and it should help prevent either of you from having hard feelings.

Spending Time with Elderly Relatives Tip #5 - Try not to always let her pay, although this is easier said than done.

Many Grandmothers simply won't let their grandchildren pay for anything, and the same is true for many elderly relatives. If you can, you might want to try and grab the bill before she does. Unfortunately, this doesn't always work. If she leaves to use the restroom, it might be a good time to ask the waiter or waitress to give you the bill. Even then, it might be a lost cause.

Spending Time with Elderly Relatives Tip #6 - Help her get some errands done if you can.

If you happen to go shopping at a store such as Wal-Mart, Target, or K-Mart, you might be in a good position to help your Grandmother, or other elderly relatives, get some of her errands accomplished. It might seem like a small thing, but it can really help her out. Let's face it, she'll appreciate any help that you can give her. Just try and remember that she isn't feeble yet. If you try and do too much, you might just get told that she can do it for herself, thank you very much.

Spending time with elderly relatives can sometimes present unique issues, but in the end, elderly relatives are one of the few living links to the past. They also tend to help put other relatives in touch with each other. Spending time with elderly relatives has much to teach others of all ages.