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Senior Living

2004-04-01 09:19:00

Rules for children visiting elderly

Question: What are the rules when bringing your children to see the elderly?

ANSWER:  I am not aware of any universal rules regarding bringing children to visit the elderly but obviously each care environment whether it be a long-term care facility, a residential adult care home or a hospital has the right to impose whatever rules they seem fit to protect their residents or patients as the case may be.Having said that let me say that in the long-term care arena, having children in the homes is an absolute blessing to most elderly.  It is true that if not handled correctly children can be disruptive and can agitate the elderly, but for the most part the elderly love interacting with children.  Many times you will see the entire atmosphere in a home change when children enter the room, particularly younger children and babies.  Who doesn't love to hold a cute little baby… and aren't they all cute?For the elderly who spend their days in a long-term care facility predominantly with other elderly except for caregivers and nurses, it is a refreshing change to see the smiling face of a child who has come to visit. Many elderly tend to feel a sense of worthlessness or purposelessness as if they are no longer important since they cannot do what they used to.  Moral is raised and value is added to the life of the elderly when a child or children come and share some time showing a real interest in their life.  Actually isn't it important to all of us at any age to feel as if someone wants to spend some time with you?Things to consider though regarding taking a child to visit, is the current health condition of both the child and the elderly to be visited.  Another consideration needs to be the cognitive level of the residents and the level of stimulation the child/children will provide.  In addressing the first issue, many frail elderly have immune systems that are compromised by either their age, a disease process or both, leaving them highly susceptible to becoming ill from germs brought in from outside.  A cough, runny nose or low-grade fever common to children can potentially be life threatening to the elderly.  It is always a good rule not to let children, or for that matter anyone visit the elderly when showing signs of illness.In relation to stimulation, for most elderly whose minds are still sharp, over stimulation is generally not an issue.  In fact they may appreciate getting revved up a little.  But for the cognitively impaired that may be suffering from severe confusion, anxiousness and paranoia, it is very easy for these Residents to become way over stimulated which obviously is not of benefit to them.  When dealing with memory disorders it is very important that children try to remain calm and behaved. Unfortunately, kids will be kids and because of their chasing throughout the house, jumping on furniture and wrestling around we have seen it cause adverse effects on one or more of the residents which defeats the purpose of the visit.Usually good common sense will direct you in planning and carrying out your visit.  When is the individual you wish to visit at their best, do they have a usual naptime?  Many times it can be good to have a little plan in mind as far as an activity that the child or children can do with the elderly Resident.  Reading out loud, doing a puzzle, playing the piano, or having the Resident tell stories that relive some of their greatest vacation experiences can all be very therapeutic and enjoyable to the Resident.   As I said at the beginning, generally the enthusiastic reaction you get when a cute little kid/s or a baby drops in to visit… well the reaction as the Visa commercial says is priceless!  Take a few moments and go visit the elderly.  You will be glad you did.