At Careline365, we think it's important to show your grandparents that you love them all year round. It shouldn't just be birthdays and Christmas when you pop round to see them or send them a gift. If you're not sure where to begin, we've got five ideas below on how to treat your grandparents with respect and care all year round.
1. Plan a day out
If you're lucky enough to live close by your grandparents, spend a day with them. Why not plan a fun day of activities just for them? Ask them what they would like to do and go from there. Give them the chance to pick an activity, a place to eat, and when they would like to go. Make it their day.
If they are struggling for ideas, you could ask them what they used to enjoy doing when they were younger. Perhaps they have a hobby they haven't practised for a while, or a cherished place they haven't visited for some time. Once you've come up with an idea, adapt it to your grandparent's current circumstances.
Perhaps your grandmother rode horses when she was younger. Her mobility may not allow for horse riding any longer but you could take a horse-drawn carriage ride or visit a farm. Anything from a shopping trip to fishing can be a fun day out.
2. Lend a hand
Just helping out with little tasks can be a treat to your grandparents and certainly shows that you care. Don't wait for them to ask, because often they won't want to trouble you. Pick up some groceries for them, take them to any appointments, or help out in the garden by cutting the grass or pulling up weeds when you spot them. If your grandparents get the bus for essentials, why not offer to drive them one day? Little things like this are fantastic ways to show your grandparents that you care. Offering practical help is both thoughtful and useful.
Just be careful not to take over completely. Your grandparents are sure to guard their independence carefully. Helping out every now and then should be a treat, not an imposition.
3. Involve your children
Whether you want your children to get more involved with your parents or with your grandparents, there are many ways to get them connecting. What grandparent wouldn't appreciate a hand-written card or a drawing to stick on the fridge?
It's also nice to get grandparents involved in something your child enjoys. For example, you could find a family-friendly board game for everyone to play together. This might require some patience on everyone's part, but playing games together is a sure-fire way to get people laughing and bonding.
Or, if one of the grandparents is a keen cook, why not suggest that they teach you or your child a signature recipe. Lots of us have fond memories of baking cakes with our grandparents. Asking your parents or grandparents to teach your child something really shows how much you value them. It's also a great way to spend quality time together. If your elderly relatives are starting to struggle with cooking, check out our list of helpful and affordable kitchen gadgets.
4. Pick up the phone
Simply calling your older relatives can mean the world to them. In a world that runs more and more on texts and emails, calling your grandparents for a catch-up will make them feel cherished and loved. Loneliness can be a real problem for elderly people, and regular check-ins can keep the blues at bay. This is especially true during the pandemic. You could always set a reminder in your phone to call them for a quick catch-up at the same time every week.
An even better way to keep in touch is via video calling. Get them set up on Facetime, Zoom, or Skype, and your weekly catch-ups will seem like being together in person. You might need to spend some time teaching them how to use their new equipment but they will appreciate your time and effort.
5. Get crafty
Make your grandparents a photo album as a gift. Nowadays, photos usually end up on Facebook in virtual albums. While record numbers of elderly people are using the internet and social media, plenty of our ageing relatives still don't have access to the online world. A physical photo album will mean a lot to them. If you're not the best with getting crafty you can always pick up a frame online.
You could include photos of you and your family over the last few years, or you could compile a huge album of the entire family going back as many generations as you like. There are lots of tips and ideas on Pinterest of how to arrange your photos.
Give the Gift of Careline
Lots of us wish we could spend more time with our elderly parents or grandparents. If you want to show them that you care, why not get them a Careline alarm? This is a great way to help them stay safe and independent in the home they know and love.
If they ever have a fall or feel unwell, they can press the button on their Careline pendant and know that help is on the way. For more information, read our guide to the Careline alarm service or give our friendly team a call on 0800 030 8777.
You can also order a Careline alarm online today.
If you have any tips or advice on showing grandparents that you care, chat to us via Facebook or Twitter, or let us know in the comments below.
