How to Empathize and Care for the Elderly
When you empathize with others, you effectively put yourself in their shoes. Specifically, when you empathize with another, you try to imagine or understand someone else’s emotional experience. Psychologists believe that people are born with the capacity for empathy, but it is a learned behavior. The fact that empathy can be learned is good news if you’re considering a career in caregiving. Here are five tips for learning to empathize and care for seniors.
1. Offer Help Before it is Asked
Studies show that almost 75% of people are reluctant to ask for help. For these people, asking for help may feel like giving up control. However, as people get older, routine tasks they once did unassisted will often require help. Examples of tasks that seniors may need help with include bathing, toileting, dressing, hair styling, eating, and walking. To show empathy to elderly family members or residents in a facility where you work, try offering to help before they have to ask for your help.
2. Remember that You May Need Help When You’re Older
Aging isn’t something that happens to others. If we are lucky, we will all live a long life. With every passing day, we are all getting older. So, before you get frustrated with a senior citizen in your life, remember that one day, you may struggle to speak loud enough for others to hear. You may be forgetful or struggle to move without assistance.
3. Make Eye Contact
Multi-tasking is often necessary in life and our careers. However, when caring for a senior, something as simple as making eye contact when they are talking to you (instead of attending to other tasks) can show that you care about them and that they say matters.
4. Practice Patience
Family members who serve as caretakers and professional caregivers should prioritize patience when working with elderly populations. Even if you’ve been asked and answered a question repeatedly, remember that at least 20% of people over the age of 65 have mild cognitive impairment. 10% of those over 65 have dementia. So, if you find yourself explaining things repeatedly or answering the same questions, remember that the person in your care may be suffering from a change in cognitive function.
5. Spend More Time Listening Than Talking
As we age, our social lives and social circles often shrink. Pervasive loneliness is quite common among elderly people. The World Health Organization reports that up to 1 in 3 seniors feel lonely. To show empathy towards the older adults you care for, be sure to spend time listening to them. After all, you may be the only person or one of just a few people they talk to daily.
Empathize with Others? Caregiving Careers May Be a Perfect Fit
Have you ever found yourself saying, “I feel your pain,” and realized you mean it? If so, you may be more naturally empathetic than others. In fact, studies suggest that the ability to empathize with others may be rooted in our genes! If you’re a naturally empathetic person, a career as a professional caretaker may be the career path you’ve been seeking.
However, remember that empathy can be learned. So even if you don’t think you’re particularly empathetic, compassion for others’ experiences can be learned and practiced.
Begin a New Career Caring for Seniors in Lane County
Gateway Living is a top-reviewed assisted living facility in Lane County, OR. Our state-of-the-art facility provides 24-hour nursing care, memory care, and personal caretaking services. Caretaking positions offer excellent benefits, flexible schedules, and abundant opportunities for career growth. If you’re interested in a promising career helping others, view the open job positions at Gateway Living today.