—
The relationship I had with my grandpa is not like the everyday grandpa-grandson relationship. I lost my mother at birth, and my father in early childhood. My grandpa took me in when most relations claimed to have had their hands full. That was how I grew up with grandpa and an unbreakable bond between us grew. He saw to it I went to college even when with his little pension. He never allowed me miss the warmth of a mother, neither did I feel the void of a father because he played both roles perfectly.
Papi, like I fondly called him, was a man full of vibe and highly enthusiastic about life. I could remember our little rituals when we would go for fishing, and he would allow me to catch big fish just to hear me scream “I won” elatedly. There was actually no dull moment with this man.
As time went by, I saw my grandpa age and wished there was something I could do to bribe nature from taking its course. Seeing a man that was once energetic become feeble, a man that I’d compete running to the farm with, brought in a little mixture of sadness and happiness. I had to accept the limited nature of grandpa and also the privilege of watching him age gracefully.
It takes a real man to care for his grandpa. But funny enough, grandpas are not asking for much. They only long to be taken care of. Which many misinterpret as giving money, and that is very wrong.
I will share with you four ways men can take care of their grandpas:
Don’t substitute money for your presence
Like I mentioned earlier, many men mistake caring about someone for giving money. The truth is, caring about someone goes beyond giving money—money is an arm of caring and not the whole body. There comes a stage in a man’s life where physical and emotional attention will be all he craves.
The presence of your loved one fills a vacuum which money cannot replace. I observed this when my kids and I would visit grandpa and every ailment would seem to have disappeared by our presence alone. It was as if our presence was a special medication that defied medical diagnoses.
That’s to show you how strong your presence can be in your grandpa’s health. Hire a caregiver if he insists on staying alone, but don’t allow grandpa to see the caregiver as the only person that cares. Spending an hour or two would really go a long way to show you care.
Researchers have proven a lack of attention from loved ones can make our aged loved ones die early. Don’t monetize your presence.
Take adequate health care measures
Medical care is a very important way to care for your grandpa. There are many sicknesses attached to being old, there’s a need to understand that grandpa can no longer do pizza or eat a burger because of his health. It’s up to you to make sure he eats the right meal, gets exercise, and takes his medication.
My grandpa hates going to the hospital alone. Someone has to take him, or else he won’t go. Aside hiring a caregiver for him, it is wise if you sometimes accompany to his check-ups. Stay in contact with his doctor, nurse, and pharmacist to get the necessary information.
You are at an advantage when you know his health status, it helps you make wise medical decisions. Make sure he doesn’t skip medications, check-ups, stays on his diet, and gets exercise.
Install medical emergency alerts
The caregiver you hired won’t be available at all times. They might go out for groceries, to pick up a bottle of pills, or run other errands. So, it is expedient to have a medical emergency alert system installed. I got to learn of this when my grandpa had a big fall that almost took his life. Fortunately, the caregiver hadn’t gone very far away.
I could practically feel his pain when he explained the whole incident to me. So, I purchased a medical alert systems online that help to track his falls. He had to press the emergency button whenever he fell or had any attack. This emergency button sent a signal to the medical alert’s monitoring centre. Thanks to this, I didn’t lose him earlier than expected.
With medical technologies, he couldn’t skip taking his medication anymore because I got him a smart pill bottle that constantly reminded him of taking his pills.
Get him engaged
My grandpa is one man I know that can be dead from just staying in a spot. He has always been this hyperactive person which he hasn’t outgrown till now. He loves going for a walk whenever he is not taking a class.
I got him registered in a walk group as well as a social program that helps old people break out their lonely state.
He really loved it; he saw it as a means to escape from boredom and is an active member there. Sometimes, when I visit, I’ll endeavor to take him fishing. It has always been our little ritual since my childhood.
I also don’t allow him to miss some fun things we used to do back then, even when he obviously can’t participate in them, I make sure he watches my kids and I do them.
I may not be an expert in caregiving, but one thing I know for sure is that the little we do for aged loved ones shows how much of a man and a good father we are to our kids. Don’t hide from your grandpa under money because a time in life might come when money would rarely matter, but the love and care of your loved ones will be all that matters.
—
—
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Well stated.
I was fortunate to have two amazing grandfathers. Their stories, the risks they took, the guts to pack up and come to America with little more then a few dollars and hope for their families, humbled me.
We have but a limited time with them, and they have so much to offer.
I miss them both, but look forward to the day I become one. I hope I measure up, but that’s a very tall task.