5 easy ways to make grandparents happier

1. Listen

And never get angry if your old people repeat the same thing for the hundredth time. In old age, people forget what happened last week, but they definitely remember “that very day at the university” and what they liked to do in their youth.

Perhaps the grandmother unexpectedly confesses that she loved to draw and dreamed of going to St. Petersburg, but it never came out. So ask her to draw a picture, help her great-grandson with her art homework, or organize a family trip.

And grandparents also know things about your family that no one else will tell you. You will understand all this if you only listen. Ask questions, ask again and clarify. Show interest.

Julia Buckinga psychologist, psychoanalytic psychotherapist

In some cases, this is not easy and requires perseverance, patience, strength, and ingenuity. There are few external events in the life of grandparents. But older people always have events in their inner life, their feelings, memories, experiences, perceptions. Grandparents may feel like they shouldn't be talking about it. Reassure your family that this is not the case.

2. Teach new things

If you live far away, but can teach your grandparents computer literacy, be sure to do it. Then you will be able to communicate via video link, if you are not able to meet often. Well, for your family it will be unusual and interesting.

3. Talk

Talk about your daily life. Have you noticed that even an unfamiliar elderly neighbor asks how you are doing? It's important for grandparents to be involved, don't leave them out of your life. And never hesitate to say words of support and gratitude.

Not all grandmothers like to knit. Not all grandfathers are happy to run to play dominoes. But you know the desires of your relatives. The main thing for them is attention, which can be shown in different ways.

4. Help in everyday life

And do not wait until they begin to persuade you. Do you see that it is hard for grandmother to get cans from the top shelf? Do it yourself! You can also help imperceptibly: wipe the dust, rinse the dishes after you, fix the carpet.

The main thing here is not to overdo it. If you are overprotective, the person may feel helpless or think that you think they are.

If your family members are still physically active and do not mind taking a walk, feel free to take them with you. To parks, cafes, especially to the theater, to concerts or a simple family dinner.

5. Monitor your health

It often happens that our relatives are silent to the last that they are worried about something, do not want to bother and complain. Unfortunately, such silence has dire consequences.

Be attentive to your loved ones, because many ailments are noticeable from the outside. Always be interested in the health of grandparents, but do not suffer from paranoia (read the previous paragraph).

When close people are around, we do not notice it. We do not consider it to be something special and we think that it will always be so. We know for sure that there is almost a whole life ahead, so you can visit next week as well. Well, if it doesn't work out, then at the end of the month. Will succeed. Believe me, it doesn't work that way.

Grandparents can deny themselves for a long time and call themselves a burden, but do not believe it, but use every opportunity to make their lives rich and bright.