How do you help the elderly?

Increase the old age state pension and it should be tax free Having worked in the field of aging for some 30 years, there are many things in addition to the answer above that would help us provide better care for the elderly. A very important part of care is allowing the elder to have options for how they want to live. All of us want to stay in an environment which is comfortable and familiar and that would more than likely be their own home. There are any number of home and community based services which would help a person remain at home with some supports. What seems to happen in a lot of cases is that it is easier to put someone in an institutional setting which is almost always more expensive and less personal than living where one is familiar. Some people prefer to go into an institutional setting especially if all of their needs can be met and there is some socialization but this is the exception rather than the rule. As a nation we could do more by putting funds into programs and services which allow families and friends to better care for the elderly. This is such a huge question, it is not easy to answer it. One thing a family can do is contact the local Area Agency on Aging serving their geographic area as each state in the union has coverage from formal agencies designed to work with elders. Puerto Rico and Guam are also included. Live with them Reassurance Calls The elderly, particularly those that live alone, can be provided reassurance through community organizations that offer live telephone chat. Automated systems also exist in some communities that call seniors at least once a day to ensure they are OK. Below in Related Links is a link called Telephone Reassurance Providers which is a directory of private and state organizations that provide both volunteer based calls as well as automated calls. Answer We can spend time visiting with them, and allowing them to share the stories from when they were younger. Also, when they actively use their minds like playing card games, engaging in social interaction, and attending exercises, and other sort of wellness classes can help to improve their mental status.