Some of the most common issues faced by elderly folks at home, with regards to their kids and grandkids are loneliness, lack of sense of purpose, relevance or importance, being disregarded, etc. While the elderly are trying to still contribute and assert their role in the family, others are not necessarily accepting that. There may also be generation gaps where each are operating under different perspectives, information, beliefs, and values. For some, the family had also change the main language of communication so there might also be language barriers.
Some ways parents can teach or encourage their children to bond and communicate better with their elderly family members is by teaching the children to communicate in the language of the elderly family members, make it into something fun rather than a chore; Creating opportunities for the children to see and understand that the elderly family members care for them (e.g. Pointing out, “look grandpa walk a long way to buy this pencil case for you”); Guiding the children to show affection to the elderly (e.g., “Go kiss grandma good night”); Helping direct the elderly to engage in activities the children enjoy (e.g., “Dad why don’t you read with her before she sleeps”); or Correcting any disrespectful behaviours from the children.
In the parents’ own actions, ensure that they are speaking to the elderly in a respectful manner, show caring actions to the elderly, enquiring the elderly about their day, seeking the elderly’s advice on things, and spending time with the elderly themselves.
Incorporate routines that involves the elderly (e.g., dinner time will start with grandpa saying grace, Grandma is the one who gives sweet as reward for good behaviours, great aunt will take you to school). Get the elderly to participate in what the children are doing and vice versa (e.g., Mom why don’t you keep score of how many time Junior skip rope; Junior why don’t you help Grandma in the garden and help her put in the seed).
On the other hand, the elderly needs to show interest and try to keep up with the times and be in tune of what the grandkids are interested in (e.g., know the latest fad in cartoon, music, game and gadget). Engage the children in things the elderly are good at (e.g., show them ancient games, teach them interesting skills or tricks). Ask questions and play with them interactively (instead of just expecting them to come hug and kiss them to fulfill the elderly’s needs).
In the parents’ own actions, ensure that they are speaking to the elderly in a respectful manner, show caring actions to the elderly, enquiring the elderly about their day, seeking the elderly’s advice on things, and spending time with the elderly themselves.
Incorporate routines that involves the elderly (e.g., dinner time will start with grandpa saying grace, Grandma is the one who gives sweet as reward for good behaviours, great aunt will take you to school). Get the elderly to participate in what the children are doing and vice versa (e.g., Mom why don’t you keep score of how many time Junior skip rope; Junior why don’t you help Grandma in the garden and help her put in the seed).
On the other hand, the elderly needs to show interest and try to keep up with the times and be in tune of what the grandkids are interested in (e.g., know the latest fad in cartoon, music, game and gadget). Engage the children in things the elderly are good at (e.g., show them ancient games, teach them interesting skills or tricks). Ask questions and play with them interactively (instead of just expecting them to come hug and kiss them to fulfill the elderly’s needs).
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