This is a sponsored partnership between Centrum and LatinaMoms.com
Just like we switch to digital applications to stay in communication with our friends, we should also give the same energy to our elderly loved ones. After all, aren’t they the ones who took care of us at the beginning of our lives?
While this sounds like a challenge, it doesn’t quite have to be. There’s a way to communicate with your elderly loved ones about anything – you just need to find the most efficient way for both parties.
Communication is all about finding common ground
One thing we forget over time is that our communication patterns must evolve with each stage of life. The same is true for our beloved older adults.
Your abuelos aren’t always on social media. They’re waiting for a phone call with details about your last adventure instead of seeing your Instagram post. But that’s not a bad thing!
Learning new communication codes and tools helps make caregiving less stressful for both parties, thus improving the quality of the relationship.
Personally, I call my elders each day to make sure they’re okay. And it’s not necessarily a full-on half-hour conversation, either. A simple “how was your day?” or “what’d you eat today?” can make the difference.
What are other ways to communicate?
If your elders are more tech-savvy, maybe introduce easy-to-use video call apps. If they’re far away, that’s where technology comes into play. A simple upgraded phone call can help them feel in sync with your daily, busy life.
It may seem like something out of their reach, but you never know until you try. In hindsight, it’s an efficient way of communication that can strengthen your bond. This goes for caregiving, too – if you’re not in your elder’s presence when needed, a video call can help you figure out their needs rather than waiting for you to get home. That will give you peace of mind, to say the least.
But it’s not all about just caregiving. It’s also meant to improve the relationship quality between the both of you. You and your elder can grow stronger by re-learning how to be in each other’s lives and, ultimately, cherishing these new, modern moments together.