Serving Seniors and the Ready to Care Movement

We are excited to partner with Ready to Care for the content of this post. All opinions are my own.

It is a wonderful time of year when we can reflect on all the many blessings in our lives and things that we are thankful for. One blessing in particular that I have been very thankful for recently are my parents. It is amazing how much more I look up to them as I have become a mother, and how in awe I am of the parents that they have been to me and the grandparents they are to my children. As I watch them get older and have more difficulty doing things in life, my heart wants to help and serve them even more. However, I live a few states away from my parents and am not always able to serve them in the ways that they need. That got me thinking about other people’s aging parents and grandparents that might be close to me. I might not be able to serve my folks directly every day, but I can serve and help other seniors right next door.

Did you know that the aging population is growing rapidly, while the professional caregivers and community caregivers are decreasing? I recently read that before 2020, people aged 65+ are predicted to outnumber children under the age of 5 for the first time…EVER. That is quite a few seniors that are going to be needing care in our very own community with fewer caregivers. That’s where WE COME IN!

I have come in contact with an amazing movement called Ready to Care  that helps bring the needs of seniors around us to our attention and gives us weekly tips, inspiration and simple challenges on how we can help this wonderful group of people who have given so much to all of us. Ready to Care wants to help us help our wonderful seniors in ways that are easy to accomplish each and every day. You can connect on Instagram or join the movement at Ready to Care .

Ready to Care Website is simple:

• Join! Enter your name and mobile number
• Get Inspired. Get weekly senior care missions, tips and inspiration delivered right to your phone.
• Mission Complete. Complete simple care missions and share inspiration and tips with others.
• You are making the world a better place for seniors today and your aging journey tomorrow.

What are these “Care Missions” with Ready To Care? They are super-simple challenges to accomplish that will help brighten a senior’s day. The Care Mission coming up the week of November 26 is to Take Action! Give. Learn. Serve. These three actions are at the heart of Ready To Care. “Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community,” said American writer Anthony J. D’Angelo. Here’s the challenge for the week:

1. Giving Tuesday is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, but anytime is a good time to donate to causes that help others.
2. By learning about the challenges that older adults may face, you can be better prepared to help. And while everyone can benefit from a kind gesture, seniors are at greater risk of experiencing things like limited mobility, chronic conditions, or feeling isolated. The more you know, the more you can look out for your senior friends, neighbors, or loved ones.
3. Put your learning into action through small acts of kindness, volunteering, or completing a care mission (there are tons to choose from and over 1,000 care missions have been completed already!)

I love the idea that if everyone can do a little bit of care, we can care for more people. I’ve compiled a list of 30 things you can do right now to brighten the lives of the seniors around you (and made a free printable so you can keep it on your fridge as a reminder). It’s a lot easier than you think and you’ll brighten up someone’s day for sure!

Will you join with us and Ready To Care  and take the Gratitude Challenge?

Thank Seniors you’re grateful to have in your life.

Then, reach out and do something kind for a senior in your life. Be the reason they’re grateful this week!

Next, challenge your friends and family to take the Gratitude Challenge and share their experiences.

We would love to hear about your experiences!