5 Effective Ways to Boost Self-Confidence in the Elderly
When people are working, they’re busy, interacting with colleagues and focusing on ways to achieve their goals. This means they’re mostly preoccupied with something or other, so they don’t have time to ponder over anything that doesn’t suit their purpose. Retirement brings more free time and less interaction. Aging retirees tend to feel deprived of social life, which can lower their morale and confidence. This can adversely affect both their physical and mental health. So, caregivers will try anything to keep them active. That might mean asking their opinion on issues or making them feel loved and important. This blog post walks you through five effective ways to boost self-confidence in seniors.
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How Caregivers Can Boost Self-Confidence in Seniors
Here are five ways to help seniors regain their lost self-confidence.
Ask them for advice
Everyone goes through good and bad experiences, which, hopefully, inculcate at least some wisdom in us. This is especially true of seniors. Understanding how to overcome hurdles makes them the perfect sounding board in case you happen to be going through a tough time. For instance, if you’re fighting with your partner and are unsure about the relationship, a senior may be able to give you pertinent advice based on their personal experience. Making use of that experience puts a positive spin on their age (they’re not old, they’re wise) and will likely make them feel good that they were able to help.
Find out their hobbies
Do you know the Thoreau proverb ‘The devil finds work for idle hands’? The same is true for idle minds. Retirees who have nothing fruitful or positive to think about can end up becoming depressed. To divert them from negative thinking, take interest in their past or present hobbies. Ask them about the activities that relax(ed) them and try to practice those with them. By doing so, they will reminisce about the positive things they used to do which will surely make them feel good and keep them occupied in their leisure.
Take them out for a day trip
After retirement, seniors are home much of the time which can be frustrating and suffocating. Depending on their health, they may find it difficult to travel alone or run errands. Regardless of their health, it’s wise to take them out for a day or even on a trip if you have the time. Day trips, movies, lunches and dinners are great ways to entertain them. Going out with them once or twice a week is a great way to renew their interest in life.
Connect them to social groups
Seniors sometimes lack a social life due to distant relatives, friends or family. This can lead to loneliness and depression. That’s why it’s important to introduce them to people who will help them socialize. Social places like yoga classes, book clubs or laughter therapy sessions can bring them into the orbit of new people. In this way, their social circle will widen and they’ll (hopefully) make new friends.
Allow them to help or do things on their own
Helping seniors is a good habit but be careful not to overdo it as they may end up thinking that they’re not good enough to do things on their own. Instead, let them do what they can on their own, even if they take longer than you may be comfortable with. But step in when necessary. For instance, if their hands are shaking while cutting up dinner ingredients, ask to help them out or guide them through the task to prevent their getting hurt. By contrast, if you’re cooking and they want to help, welcome the offer and praise their cooking skills. By doing so, you will make them feel valued.
Though seniors can lose their confidence with age,these five strategies can help them regain it. All you need to do is love, respect and value their opinion. Also, keep them engaged in social activities and encourage new friendships. These small changes can mean a lot and improve their lives immensely. In this way, they’re sure to enjoy life with renewed interest thus promoting their overall well-being.