Senior Care in Darien, CT

Volunteering and reaching out to the community to help others is a fantastic way to enhance your senior care journey with your aging loved ones by making them feel relevant within the world around them, boosting their mental and emotional health, and giving them the opportunity to spend quality time bonding with you or their senior health care services provider. This winter season, bring meaning and importance to your senior care efforts by working with your aging loved ones to make donations to shelters in your area.

The holidays are a popular time for people to make donations to charitable organizations such as canned food drives and toy drives. It is important to remember, however, that while making donations of Christmas gifts and food for holiday feasts is a special way to help make sure that more people throughout the community can feel the joy of the holiday season, these are not the only items that are valued during the winter. You and your seniors can make a tremendous difference in the lives of people in need throughout your community and reduce feelings of depression, isolation, loneliness, and loss of connection that are common among the elderly during the winter season by donating useful items that go beyond just the celebration of Christmas to help those who are facing a difficult time every day.

Use these tips to make your senior care journey more meaningful this winter season by donating to shelters throughout your area:

• Research the shelters. Many people are not even aware of the shelters that are in their area. Take some time to research the area to find out what types of shelters are available so that you and your parents can choose the ones that you want to benefit during the winter season. Look for homeless shelters, women's shelters, and troubled teen shelters so that you can offer help to the people who your parents feel the most connected to, or to several different groups of people.

• Find out needs. Once you have selected the shelter or shelters that you want to benefit, look on their website or give them a call to find out what types of items that they specifically need. They might be able to give you an idea of the items that they need most urgently, or direct you to a list of basic items. Items that are usually in need include household items such as detergent and cleaners, clothing and winter wear, hygiene products and cosmetics, home goods such as dishes and cookware, and even gift certificates.

• Do not forget the animals. If your aging loved ones are animal lovers, encourage them to take care of those furry friends who do not have homes by donating to animal shelters in their area. These shelters are usually eager to accept donations of blankets, food, toys, leashes, litter, and other supplies.

• Get clubs involved. The social interaction, support, and activity of being involved in a club or organization are fantastic for your elderly loved ones' health, and getting these clubs or organizations involved in your donation efforts can offer a bonding experience while also boosting the amount of donations you have to offer the shelter.