How to Have Fun being a Senior Companion
Most people in their old age require frequent assistance and regular guidance, even if they are not ill. The number of senior citizens is growing rapidly in our societies, owing to which being a senior companion has grown into a popular full-time job, particularly in the United States of America.
A senior companion is someone who takes care of a senior citizen, helping him or her in the golden years of his/her life. Senior citizens must not be taken on as a burden – many might find the job tiring as you need to take lots of little details and factors into account, so make sure you are prepared for it. With the right attitude, you can learn to enjoy this job more than you would a traditional corporate job, all while being paid a handsome salary.
Instructions
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1
Patience
Dealing with a senior citizen requires a huge amount of patience, because the elderly tend to take longer to understand and react to things. You must develop and hone the virtue of patience in order to learn to enjoy being a senior companion. Be mentally prepared for the fact that a senior citizen is likely to get cranky very often - even if he or she gets annoyed at you for some reason, you must remain composed, and not get hurt or react harshly. If you let little things get to you, this job will become terribly difficult for you; consider the senior citizen's state of mind, and never take anything personally. -
2
Control your emotions and be mentally strong
It is extremely difficult for a sensitive, emotional person to deal with elderly people. Try your best to remain calm, cool, and collected at all times. You will need to be mentally strong in order to understand and adapt to different circumstances when accompanying an elderly person. Keep in mind that this is your profession, and you must keep a smile on your face at all times. Behave like a thorough professional, and never let your emotions get in the way of your work. Once you develop emotional strength, the job will become more enjoyable for you. -
3
Enjoy conversations with the elderly
Develop a genuine interest in having detailed conversations with elderly people. Try to get them to talk about their lives and experiences - not only will they enjoy recounting their fond memories, their stories are bound to be filled with lessons and wisdom which can further your own learning process. By increasing the frequency of these conversations, you can make senior citizens feel more comfortable with you, and both parties can begin to enjoy the time they spend together. -
4
Feel satisfaction
If you carry out your duties with sincerity and give it your best, you will definitely feel inner satisfaction, knowing that you are helping someone in their time of need. If you can bring a smile to the face of a senior citizen, it will make you feel valued and important, naturally making you enjoy your job as a senior companion.
