It surprised me that I picked up crochet reasonably quickly. Sure, I messed up a lot at first, and it took a lot of time and effort to figure out the stitch techniques and pattern instructions, but all things considered, I picked it up pretty fast.

Which got me thinking and remembering …

Let’s talk about the business lesson first.

Hiring

There’s a lot of competition for small businesses. It seems as if every other business is hiring, and the candidate pool is getting smaller and smaller.

If everyone beats the same bush for the same candidates, you may want to find a different bush and consider older candidates.

In my experience, older employees bring a lot to the table:

• They tend to be more reliable.
• They have a lot of experience (and often more common sense).
• Many have limited schedules, which is excellent if you don’t need a full-time employee.
• They often don’t need health insurance.

Granted, they may need more time to learn new procedures and technology, but oftentimes, this isn’t even a factor.

When I worked in the family construction company, our most reliable project superintendent was in his late 60s. He didn’t want anything to do with technology (this was 20 years ago), but the clients and crews loved him. And when I owned Home Helpers, I had two caregivers who I could always count on for their common sense approach to caregiving. Both of these employees were over 65. Again, the clients and families loved them.

Caregiving

Your loved one may have to re-learn basic tasks depending on their situation. In my experience, it helps to let them learn at their own pace without expectation. Pressuring them usually causes stress (theirs and yours), which doesn’t help the learning process and can cause communication and emotional breakdowns.

Also, everyone wants to feel needed and that they matter.

If possible, involve your loved one in your work. Ask for their opinion and reassure them that you appreciate your help.

I used to call my mom every week to give her a rundown of what was going on, and I always called to ask for her opinion if I had a problem. It helped me to have a trusted resource and gave her a sense of purpose.

Mom was the best business coach. Rest assured, I learned from a pro!

Now for a few quick communication tips:

• Show respect when speaking with older adults through your tone of voice.
• Lower your voice and speak at a slower pace
• Avoid slang and jargon. Remember, no one likes to feel belittled.
• When teaching an older adult, use step-by-step procedures and don’t offer too many options, especially at first.
• Ask questions and watch their body language to check for understanding since they may feel awkward asking for clarification.
• As with all dialogue, speak and listen without distraction.

In summary, crochet reminded me that:

• Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
• Older employees can bring a wealth of talent and experience to your business.
• Involving your loved one in your business and life can be an enriching experience for you both.
• Communication with an older adult should be infused with respect, patience, and good listening skills.