How do I help my retired & aging mother feel productive and useful?

Question

She has terrible difficulty dealing with being older. She's depressed.

she's 71. thanks.

Answer 1

you could see what type of volunteer work is available in your area that she could do. even if she can't do much physical labor she could go to a hospital and read to sick kids or something like that.

Answer 2

Try to find groups online for seniors or retired persons. My grandmother joined a group in my area. They go on trips together they also have a theater group that they put on plays at local theaters. She just needs to be busy and feel like life doesn't stop just because you are old there are so many activities that you can do like take painting or photography. Depending on her health there are many people her age who work a part time job. I know in my area there is a program at the local schools for "grandparents" where they just help out at the school. It gives the chance for children who don't have grandparents around to have a grandparent figure around. My friend's grandmother is 80 and she is still out protesting against wars. She has even been in jail a few times for protesting. There are things out there you just need to find what your area can offer.

Answer 3

Well, for one thing, you can get her to a mental health professional. At this age, her depression could kill her.

Are there other seniors she can socialize with?

Does she have a dog?

Does she have any hobbies? I decided to teach myself to arrange flowers (using flower arranging books). I take small bouquets to the geriatric center once every 10 days or 2 weeks, and larger bouquets to sick ladies at the church. I was depressed when I began, and though I am still depressed, people are depending on me, and I am getting joy from arranging (mostly fresh) flowers. My depression is better. Not gone, just yet, but better.

There's a wonderful, helpful website: www.nami.org. It has information about every type of mental illness, along with ideas, help finding drs., and assistance in making the responsible people pay for your mother's care (insurance, Medicaid...).

Good luck.

TX Mom

Answer 4

Check the local paper for community activities she can get involved in.

Check the local YMCA for some classes/programs she may enjoy.

Check the hospital for support groups.

Ask if she would like to volunteer somewhere. I'm sure there are plenty of places she could find something she would like.

If she is depressed maybe you might want to take her to the doctor and make sure everything is okay. Good luck.

Answer 5

Call your local hospital and ask for volunteer services... and make an appointment for her and then you take her in yourself and you can BOTH speak to the volunteer coordinator....they can put her in the part of the hospital she might really enjoy--reading to the children patients or going in and coming hair for the REALLY OLD patients (the ones 20 years older then HER)... or any number of volunteer jobs where she could feel useful again.

Answer 6

She should know her limitations. Then she will realize that what she is doing is within what she can do. At 71 you can not do the things which you did when you were 21.

Answer 7

Get her involved in a hobby that challenges her and lets her be social. My dad just retired. He signed up to take Spanish at a local community college. He likes learning something new and talking to people.

Answer 8

She needs to work. Work keeps people going and keeps them young. Get her some kind of job or push her to look for one herself. Good luck.

Answer 9

Just because she is old doesn't mean she has to stop living. she can get a hobby, volunteer, part time job etc.

Answer 10

PLEASE EDIT AND SAY HOW OLD YOUR MOTHER IS. THAT WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE ANSWERS. (Go to "edit" then "Add details". ) Thanks.