How can i help the aged

Older folks worry about the same things anyone under the age of 65 do — money, friendships, the stress of day-to-day life. They just might not have anyone to discuss their concerns with. One way to help is by looking for opportunities to be that obliging ear for them. The program connects volunteers with seniors who need someone to talk to. In some cases, these volunteers may be the senior's only point of social contact, so the service they provide is invaluable. You don't have to live in San Francisco or even be a member of an organization like The Friendship Line to help, though.

Consider doing your own outreach. There's likely a senior in your community who would love to hear from you. Pick up the phone, dial their number, and ask how they're really doing.

You might be surprised by the bond that forms out of it. Kindness is important, but so is fun. Sometimes, we forget that older people like doing fun things just as much as anyone else.

Sure, they may not be able to ride as many roller coasters so maybe put the Six Flags excursion on hold , but if you're thinking of volunteering, don't mistake "helping" for "just sitting there quietly and doing nothing except drinking tea. Here are some other, less traditional ideas: organize a nature walk for the seniors at a local center, lead a minute-dance club for seniors once a week, teach a craft class, or start a drama group or book club.

Whatever your passion is in life, why not see if you could turn it into an opportunity to brighten the lives of the seniors in your community? Except if your passion is riding rollercoasters. The inner ear isn't what it used to be at 70! Did you know that animals can help reduce stress? Just stroking the soft fur of a dog, cat or even guinea pig can make people feel a little bit better.

Not every senior citizen can take care of a pet full-time, but that doesn't mean that they can't or shouldn't enjoy the benefits that being with one provides. In fact, some care facilities have joined forces with local animal organizations to connect seniors with valuable animal time.

Not only can this help seniors feel more connected, it allows those who have a hard time interacting with people experience an important bond. If this sounds up your ally, see if you can bring some animals to seniors who live in a local facility.

Do you have an chill animal of your own? Call up one of the local organizations that help seniors and arrange for some time for your pet to visit but make sure it's okay with the facility first. But that's not true at all. Spend a few minutes a day or an hour a week helping the people around you.

It can be as little a gesture as just say "hi," to your elderly neighbor when they go out to water their garden. The act may be small — the difference you'll be making won't be. Marcella Lopez didn't always want to be a teacher — but once she became one, she found her passion. That's why she's stayed in the profession for 23 years, spending the past 16 at her current school in Los Angeles, where she mostly teaches children of color. Lopez didn't encounter a teacher of color until college.

Always remembering how I felt in that college class many years ago has kept me grounded year after year. It's also guided her teaching. Lopez says she always selects authors and characters that represent her students and celebrate other ethnicities so students can relate to what they read while also learning about other cultures. When Ms. Lopez was in first grade, she "was speaking in Spanish to a new student, showing her where the restroom was when a staff member overheard our conversation and directed me to not speak in Spanish," she recalls.

Part of her job, she says, is to find new ways to promote acceptance and inclusion in her classroom. One way she did that was by raising money through DonorsChoose to purchase books and other materials for her classroom that feature diverse perspectives. Courtesy of Ms. Lopez to create projects that address racial equity in the classroom. Together, they hope to drive awareness and funding to projects that bring diversity, inclusion, and identity-affirming learning materials into classrooms across the country.

You can see current projects seeking funding here. Lopez wanted to incorporate inclusive coloring books into her lesson plans, The Allstate Foundation fully funded her project so she was able to purchase them. Each week, Ms. Lopez and the students would focus on a page in the book and discuss its message.

And she plans to do the same again this school year. Without the support of all the donors that come together on this platform, we wouldn't have a sliver of what I've been able to provide for my students, especially during the pandemic," she says. To help teachers like Ms. Lopez drive this important mission forward, donate on DonorsChoose.

Pete Davidson, 27, has earned the reputation as one of Hollywood's most prolific ladies' men for dating some of the most beautiful A-list women over the past three years.

However, there are a lot of people out there who don't understand the "Saturday Night Live" star's appeal. Davidson is tattooed from head to toe. He suffers from Crohn's disease, has done multiple stints in rehab, describes himself as looking like a "crack baby" and only recently moved out of his mother's basement on Staten Island.

But he's also been one of the most popular cast members on "SNL" for the past seven years and co-wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed, "The King of Staten Island. Here's a brief rundown of Davidson's romantic ties over the past few years.

Davidson and the pop megastar revealed they were in a relationship at the end of May and quickly got engaged. The pair called off their engagement and broke up in October after just five months together. The two were caught kissing at a New York Rangers game in January , but the pair broke up that April because Davidson had to go to rehab and Beckinsale was busy making movies. Davidson and the "Once Upon a Time Her mother, Andie McDowell, called their flirtation "nice.

Four months later, the couple broke up while Davidson was dealing with addiction and mental health issues. Davidson and the "Bridgerton" star saw each other for about six weeks, but things eventually soured because Dynevor was geographically undesirable. Davidson and Kardashian were spotted holding hands while riding a Halloween roller coaster together, leading some to believe they were romantically involved. However, Page Six sources say they're "just friends.

If you're worried, ask if there's a relative or close friend you can phone, or call their doctor or NHS Read about 10 winter illnesses that are triggered or worsened by cold weather.

If you suspect your parents are lonely, read the When They Get Older website's loneliness guide. Mind's guide on how to cope with loneliness has advice on how to help someone you know who's lonely. Read about how volunteering is good for your health. Page last reviewed: 27 September Next review due: 27 September Home Mental health Advice for life situations and events Back to Advice for life situations and events. Loneliness in the elderly: how to help.

Read about how helping others can be incredibly rewarding Start a conversation It's not always easy to know who or how to help. Offer practical help Do you know an older person who lives alone, rarely leaves the house, has recently suffered a bereavement, is in poor health, disabled, has sight or hearing loss, or does not seem to have close family living nearby?

Share your time Volunteer for organisations that support older people. You can find more information on befriending an older person from these organisations: Age UK has a network of local Age UK groups across the country that have opportunities for you to become either an Active Buddy, who helps someone become more physically active, a Befriender, who visits someone who lives alone, or a day centre helper.

Independent Age will match you to an older person who you can then drop in on regularly for a coffee and a chat. Royal Voluntary Service wants volunteers who can help an older person with little tasks, such as doing their shopping and taking their dog for a walk, or delivering meals. The Silver Line needs people to help man this new helpline for older people. Help with household tasks Getting older can make it hard to tackle even simple jobs around the house. Share a meal Older, isolated people often need a hand cooking for themselves, so why not take round an extra plate of hot home-cooked food, or a frozen portion they can heat up or microwave?

Caroline Abrahams investigates. Read more articles. Call our free, confidential advice line on We're open 8am-7pm, days a year. About the advice line. Back to top. Postcode Please enter a valid postcode Submit. Make Christmas a little brighter Almost 1. Get information. Help for carers. Finding and arranging care. Benefits calculator. Coronavirus vaccines.