Whether we are family caregivers catering to our aging parents, or professional ones committed to the calling, these 5 love languages of caregiving can inspire you. These 5 love languages are inspired from renowned marriage expert Dr. Gary Chapman.

Love languages, according to him, are the different ways we communicate or express our love to the people we hold dear. While his 5 love languages focus on marriage and love, the ones we are going to tackle below are focused on caregiving. 

As a caregiver, the following are the ways you can best support your parents or care for an elderly charge based on their own love language. Let’s take a closer look.

5 Love Languages of Caregiving

• Love Language #1: Words of Affirmation. If you are caring for a person whose love language is Words of Affirmation, you can then show your love and care by communicating. You can speak words of appreciation and encouragement. You may also show kindness with your words and with how you speak. You may also express gratitude and focus on what is that what isn’t.
• Love Language #2: Quality Time. Spending time with the people we love is something that many of us enjoy. For some, it’s the ultimate expression of love. Listen when they speak, take time to be present. Acknowledge their feelings without trying to “fix” things for them. Just be fully there, and this for them is enough.
• Love Language #3: Receiving Gifts. We can honor our loved ones and aging parents by picking out gifts for them. Often, it’s not the amount or the extravagance of the gift, but the thought and effort that goes into it. Accept their gifts with gratitude. You may also bring them gifts, or even create something for them. They will feel special and appreciate it a lot.
• Love Language #4: Acts of Service. Offering them help can mean a lot to them. Take time to visit them and offer to cook for them, clean their house, do their laundry, or simply tidy up will give them great joy. And if you’re on the receiving end of this, let them do it for you and be gracious and appreciative even of the little things they do.
• Love Language #5: Physical Touch. Reaching out and offering a hug is one of the ways we show love and care. For those who has this for a love language, this can mean that they feel loved, supported, and cared for. They will crave to be touched and having someone care for them with a loving, gentle touch can really make their day. Even if this is not your love language, don’t shy away from their touch.

We all show and receive love in different ways. However, in spite of all these differences, it’s how we accept each other and adjust to each other’s differences to create harmony is what really makes the journey of caregiving worthwhile.