Three tips to help lonely senior citizens
Have
you seen senior citizens lonely and forlorn in parks? Their vacant
staring into nothing in particular betrays a number of sad stories. May
be they are thinking of their hazy past or insipid future, mulling over
the ever gnawing problem how to keep oneself occupied and getting rid
of perpetual boredom haunting them all the time. Instead of just
pitying them, can we do something to alleviate their loneliness? Here
are some top of the mind tips.
Help them use the Internet
If
the senior citizens you know of are computer savvy having a PC and
Internet connection at home, you may enthuse them to become members of
some discussion group or the other. There are many Internet spaces
where senior citizens can meet and discuss their problems virtually,
just remaining in their own houses. They can share a joke, tell a
story, read news, get advice on personal issues, find a safe bank
scheme to invest money the list of things they may discuss is
endless. Sites like sss-global, verdurez may be useful for Senior
Citizens in India.
Help them with Escorts
Do
they prefer to have company of an escort? Such an escort may keep
company and take them out for shopping, cinema, restaurant, theater,
concert or some exhibition. Membership in clubs organized by Harmony
Foundation or the Dignity Foundation in Mumbai or the Heritage seniors
Club in Hyderabad are good examples offering such services. This may
involve annual subscription and payment of ad-hoc fees.
Provide Listening Services
Senior
citizens want to talk. But they get no one to listen to them. This is
utterly pathetic. How about entertaining them over phone and offer to
listen to them patiently? I am talking of passive listening. No advice
or counseling. Just simply listen to what the old man has to say. Say
for about an hour on the phone. He may simply want to say how he likes
the Cricket match or how his DIL quarreled. Lend him your ears,
patience, understanding and some time. You will make him happy and he
may sleep peacefully. Such services are available free of charge to
members of Society for Serving Seniors in Secunderabad.
Do you have any suggestions of your own to fight loneliness of oldies? Let me hear from you.