To improve the day of a person who is frail, we have found it is beneficial to focus on their strengths. For example, assess which of their five senses (sight, taste, hearing, touch, smell) are functioning best. If it is smell, I may bring flowers, bake cookies or open the window for fresh air. Then I would bring their attention to their strength so they take advantage and enjoy that strength…and just as important, put what ails them in the background for a bit. Also, we choose to do a activities a frail person can enjoy and succeed at. For example, if they like the mental challenge of doing a crossword puzzle, but have poor vision and/or shaking hands, we may sit with them, read the clues and fill in the grid. And we may even provide a magnifying glass so they can get a sense for how they are doing. Making such adjustments can add fulfillment to the lives of those who are frail.
