How to Help Your Senior With Their Bucket List

What is a bucket list?

A bucket list is a compilation of events, ideas, or places that a person wants to do, see, or experience before they die.

Whether your senior parent or loved one has an official bucket list or not, and whether they are in perfect health or nearing the end, there may be things that they want to do while they are on this Earth.

Consider having a conversation with them about the things that they have always wanted to do.

 

Elder Care in Media PA: Senior Bucket List

Elder Care in Media PA: Senior Bucket List

 

Talk about your own bucket list

It may be easier to broach the subject if you start off mentioning your own bucket list items. You don’t have to be a senior to begin checking items off your list, and likewise, it’s almost never too late to start. Talk to your senior parent or loved one about the things that you have always wanted to do. If any of your bucket list items align with those of your senior, consider checking them off together, making memories to last a lifetime and beyond.

 

Keep it light

If you have difficulty discussing topics such as these with your loved one, remember to keep the tone light. Be silly and have fun with your senior as you find out what their dreams are, and never make them feel bad about anything that they come up with so that they know they can trust their important thoughts with you.

 

Give them ideas

If your senior parent or loved one has trouble coming up with ideas on their own, or feels any trepidation, try to nudge them by giving them some examples. This might be a new topic for some seniors receiving senior care at home who might not have been given the opportunity to think about such things. If they don’t want to discuss, you can let them know that you are open to talk about it if they ever change their minds.

 

Get creative

If your senior is more of a creative or visual type, they may enjoy creating something with their hands like a physical board that they can look at and design. Have a craft day where you each discuss the items on your bucket list and cut and paste them in, a tangible thing that can encourage them to keep going until they have everything checked off and completed.

 

Think outside the box

You may have to really think outside the box if you are in a situation where you either don’t have the time or don’t have the resources to make your senior’s bucket list items come to fruition. Or maybe they have cognitive or physical limitations that make it impossible for them to leave the house. In these instances, you might have to do things in an unconventional way. Consider utilizing technology to connect people from far away places, or bring the experience to them in their home however you can. Don’t let mobility issues with their senior care prevent them from doing the things that they dreamed of.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Eldercare in Media, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Suma Home Care.
Call today: (484) 206-4544

Ibrahim & Mariama Suma-Keita