Remember This When Dealing With Aging Adults

The most important thing about dealing with older people is to maintain a positive attitude and to approach aging with an open mind. How we handle people that are getting older is also crucially important.

Firstly, it's important to treat older people with respect and dignity. They should be valued for their contributions to society and their accumulated knowledge and wisdom. Respect goes both ways, so please remember that you also will be their age one day (prayerfully) so you should treat people the way you hope to be treated.

Secondly, it's important to recognize that older people may have different needs and challenges than younger people. This includes physical limitations, financial concerns, and social isolation. We should strive to understand and address these needs in a respectful and compassionate way.

So many times I’ve heard from clients that their frustrations come from feeling 30 years old mentally, but their body does not respond the way the want or anticipate. That is incredibly frustrating and concerning for them, so their response often has nothing to do with you, but frustrations with themselves and their inability to control and manage everything they previously we able to.

Thirdly, it's important to promote age-friendly environments that support older people's independence, health, and well-being. This includes ensuring accessible housing, transportation, and healthcare, as well as providing opportunities for social connection and engagement.

Lastly, we should encourage intergenerational relationships and interactions, which can benefit both older and younger people. This can help break down age-related stereotypes and foster greater understanding and empathy across generations.

Overall, the most important thing about getting older is to approach it with a positive attitude and to treat older people with the respect, dignity, and compassion they deserve. By doing so, we can help create a society that values and supports people of all ages.