12 Do’s and Don’ts while shopping with grandparents – Shopping with the elderly!

Have you ever wondered about taking your grandparents to shop? Old age is the phase of life which makes an elderly person all alone. They need love, care, and refreshment. And it is our duty to take care of them. We should often take them for shopping, walks and trips to keep them happy. It is really important to spend time with elderly people and encourage them to go out and spend time with others. A good way is to go shopping with grandparents so that they can shop according to their choices. But handling elderly people is the same as the small child. It needs the utmost care and attention with no chance of mistakes.

Here are some tips to help you while shopping with grandparents. This will also help you decide on which is better..

Online or offline shopping for senior citizens

Quality is always the priority

Mostly in my opinion elderly people don’t prefer online shopping because they believe in judging the quality of the products and the stores they find relatable. Sometimes online shopping doesn’t give them their desired results as expected. Online shopping is all about gaining trust. Many a times the senior citizen have had a bad or unsatisfactory experience, that’s why they won’t opt for it again. Though, customer reviews are available for gaining the ideas of people opting for online shopping. They might also not have technical experience to go for online shopping.

Convenience and time-consuming

Here although online shopping is a less time-consuming, convenient and cost-effective method for senior citizens who face problems to go outside as they cannot visit many stores due to the tiresome experience. But people who like exploring walking and are retired or need to pass their time, offline shopping is a good method as it will be a source of exercise too.

Size matters

According to the surveys deciding the correct size is a problem for senior citizen while shopping online, but now-days the usually E-commerce sites provide replacement or accept exchange. So for elders not desiring to take risk and hassle of exchanging clothes, offline shopping would be a better option. For elderly people who are comfortable with replacements can try online shopping.

Urgent deliveries

As we know that Online shopping is a time taking process as the desired item you are shopping for needs 2-3 days minimum for the delivery. So if the thing is urgent for the elderly people it won’t work out well. For such emergencies, store shopping is a convenient way for them. If there is no such hurry they can easily go for online shopping.

Bargaining system

Elderly people believe in bargaining and going out for shopping really excites them. So for the senior citizen who loves bargaining online shopping may be a bad idea. But things having fix price mode can be shopped online.

Payment mode

Payment modes can be one of the problems for the elderly to not go for online shopping. But generally, nowadays all sites accept offline payment modes. Now-days EMI options are also available which turns the table towards online shopping.

Varieties available

Though many times it has been seen that senior citizens have been amazed by online shopping and enjoyed it thoroughly. They can get many things online which are not available in the local market. However, people satisfied with their local market shopping experience will still opt for offline shopping.

12 Do’s and Don’ts while shopping with senior citizens

1. Hold their hands

Senior citizens can’t bear huge crowd in the old age. While shopping with a senior citizen, don’t take them to congested places. The push and pull can cause them serious injury. The place should have good lighting, well ventilated areas and walk-in closets for their easy walking. Try to walk slowly and hold their hands. Provide them with a wheelchair or wooden stick to make their walk easy. Don’t walk with them in hurry, they might have breathing or walking problems.

2. Remember they get tired and exhausted very quickly

As we know elderly people are not active as much as younger ones. So make sure that senior citizens don’t lift heavy shopping bags instead try lifting their bags or take help of trollies. Otherwise, it can cause them back pain. Also, assure that the place has handrails to prevent the risk of fall. It would be more appropriate to use lift instead of staircase. Avoid using accelerators, it can be difficult for them to balance on it.

3. Avoid sunny days for shopping

Elderly people can catch sun stroke easily. So for the betterment of senior citizens, it would be best not to take them for shopping outside on sunny days. It could be hectic and tiring for them. If doing so, make sure they are well hydrated and cover their heads. Keeping feeding them with fluids on regular intervals. Use umbrellas, hand-gloves, hats and sunglasses. Put on them a good sunscreen which is herbal and does not react to their skin.

4. Be health conscious for them

You must be aware of the fact that elderly people have weakened muscles and bones and little injury to them can cause severe damage so it’s very important to deal carefully with them. Check the floors whether it is slippery or not. Avoid stepping on wet and damp surfaces. Also, check that nothing obstacle coming in their path. Elderly people deal with a lot of health issues so do not take any risk.

While shopping with senior citizens, keep their important medications in handy for any emergency. You need to be ever ready with elderly people. Elderly people are like children and you need to care them the same way you take care of a small child. Don’t let the elderly people eat junk, raw or unpasteurized food while shopping which is not suitable for their health. Check the expiry period of the packaging of the product they are buying which the elderly people majorly skip due to their weak eyesight. Also, make sure they consume purified water. It would be best to carry water from home. Avoid giving them oily and cold food or anything which has been restricted by their doctor.

5. Provide them cellphones for emergency

Elderly people are not updated about everything around them as their younger generation. They have very little knowledge and it is difficult to make them aware of it. So while shopping with senior citizen provide them with mobile phones for emergency purposes. Make sure you don’t leave them alone or become engaged with someone else. It is your duty to guide them properly.

6. Avoid using bus or public transport

Use personal transport instead of taking them to public transport. It could be tiring and hectic for them using public transport. They might feel exhausted and the jerks are unsuitable to them. Waiting for buses and sharing seats with strangers is just not the right for them in the old ages. They are not so active to carry out these ups and downs. Drive slowly to provide them with comfortable journey.

7. Never ashamed of them in front of your friends and people around

Remember they did hard work while you were growing up to make you capable. So it’s payback time for you, they don’t expect much from you. You should be proud of holding their hands and taking care of them. There is no such thing to be ashamed, it’s just your good values they gave you. It’s your duty to protect them and make them feel happy. Make them feel like part of your family doing normal activities and this will surely give them immense pleasure. Don’t take it as a burden instead try enjoying it.

8. Provide them with the needed cash

Elderly people don’t recognize that much sense and awareness due to their old age. Don’t leave them with too much of cash. Instead, try giving them card for the payment. Cash may become a problem to manage by elderly people. Take care of their valuable possessions or jewellery if any carried by them. Try that you make their payments from your own pockets this will suprise them and make them feel happy.

9. Don’t let the salesman fool elderly people

Generally, the salesmen find grandparents an easy shopping target. They try to fool them in their schemes because elderly people are not so much updated about the ongoing deals. Don’t let the salesman pressure the elderly people for buying any item or in enrolling in any services.

10. Make them wear comfortable clothes

Elderly people easily get skin disease and rashes. While shopping with the elderly, they mostly prefer wearing light cotton clothes. Make them wear comfortable clothes. Make sure they feel satisfied in their clothes which will make them happy. In winters make them wear warm and good material jackets so they don’t catch a cold. Also, carry along with you every essential stuff they might need to be comfortable. It might be their napkin, sunglasses, cap or mufflers.

11. Ask them what they want and what they like

You have invited them for shopping so it’s your responsibility to take care of their needs and wants. While shopping with the elderly, constantly keep asking what they want. Make them feel comfortable to tell you. Communicate with them to remove their hesitations, they might be feeling akward in saying you, ultimately what matters is their happiness. You can also give them advice about the products elderly people need or can help them which has been introduced newly in the market. Also, it’s your duty to give them appropriate knowledge about the safety and quality of the product in case they are unaware of it. Ask for the choices and shop for their needs while shopping with the elderly.

12. Ask frequently if they want to visit washroom

Elderly people have less control over their urination due to weak bladder in old age. This causes frequently visiting of washroom. It becomes a matter of concern when you are outside the house. Nowadays washroom facilities are available everywhere. Make sure washrooms are clean so that they don’t catch infection. Try providing them with western toilets so they can be comfortable if dealing with knee problem which is common during this age.

If your small effort can bring a smile on their faces, then why not.

After all, they gave whole life growing you so they deserve happiness and relaxation in their old age. When it comes to shopping who doesn’t love it, it may be an elderly or a child. Keeping the above mention factor in your mind will let your work easy and bring satisfaction to the elderly ones.

All you need is some patience as the elderly people get hyper instantly so these tips will help you manage elderly people while shopping.

Also, you can guide your grandparents about the ongoing trend of online shopping to make their work easier. Maybe this interests them and makes their work easier. They can easily find suitable things which they are unable to find in local markets. It also may act as a great time pass for them if you can help them get online.