You should understand the most elderly people have endured many changes in their lifestyle.  They have withstood: the loss of their job through retirement, reduced income, loss of friends and/or family, and increased physical ailments.  Many may worry about lack of money, being alone, being physically incapacitated, and dying.  Obviously, they can use a good deal of cheerfulness and reassurance.  UNDERSTAND THEIR NEED TO MAINTAIN THEIR SELF RESPECT AND INDEPENDENCE, AND TREAT THEM ACCORDINGLY.  Never treat an elderly person like a child; they may resent it, or try to fulfill your expectations of child-like behavior and helplessness.  Treat them with respect and dignity.

Share your sense of humor with them; laughter is a wonderful tonic.  Be inquisitive.  They may not remember what they did yesterday (perhaps their lives have become monotonous or so routine) but, they often vividly recall what their life was like years ago.  Listen to what they have to say with interest, and without interrupting them.  These wise, wonderful People are living histories.  Let them share that history with you; perhaps you will learn something new.

The following list gives some tips for dealing with blind, hard of hearing, or disoriented persons:

1. Always make your presence known to blind person; identify yourself when entering a room.

2. Be natural.  Talk to him/her as you would a seeing person, and do not shout, as though he/she were deaf.

3. In a group, always address a blind person by name if you are speaking directly to him, or if you are expecting a reply.  Otherwise, he may not know that you are speaking to him.

4. When guiding a blind person, always offer your arm to him.  Never grab his arm or push him ahead.  (These tips are suggested by the Lighthouse for the Blind)

5. When talking to those who are hard of hearing, always look them directly in the face.  Reading your lips will help them understand you.  Therefore, keep you hands away from your mouth while you are talking.

6. If you need to speak louder, do so without shouting.

7. If a person has trouble understanding you, find a different way of telling them the same thing.

8. When talking to someone who is disoriented, speak clearly and distinctly; don't shout.

9. Give a disoriented person more time to respond to you, and display an expectant manner while waiting for a response.

10. When dealing with a disoriented person, refer to calendars, clocks, sunlight, room numbers, etc., as reality indicators.
 

HOW TO HELP PEOPLE

FIRST: Learn to Listen
Listen as keenly and promptly to the unspoken needs and longings of a person as you do to their loud, compelling expression: respond softly.

SECOND: Learn to Communicate
Clarify both what you say and what others say.  Do not assume you know what a person is thinking or feeling.

THIRD: Learn to Share
When you become as concerned about giving as you are about receiving, you become attractive to people.

FOURTH: Learn to Love
People always like to be with those who care about them.

FIFTH: Learn to Lift
You can strengthen a person by reinforcing his strong points rather than noticing his weak ones.

SIXTH: Learn to Believe
Everything worthwhile you have become is a result of someone's belief in you; someone listening to you.