One of the joys of caring for an older loved one is the time spent together doing enjoyable activities. Fortunately, there are many options for activities that can be mentally and/or physically beneficial for seniors and enjoyable at the same time for everyone who participates. Here are some suggestions to consider.
Playing Board & Card Games
From classics like Monopoly, Scrabble, Go Fish, and gin to newer favorites that might include Apples to Apples or Slapjack, there are many options with board and card games. These are great activities for a senior because of the many opportunities to:
• Boost memory, mental focus, and recall abilities
• Increase hand-eye coordination
• Sharpen reasoning and logic skills
Interacting with a home caregiver can also provide a great way for your parent to exercise his or her cognitive skills. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of senior home care. Victoria Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
Reading Together
Often thought of as a solitary activity, reading can also be something you do with your senior loved one. For instance, you could read a two-lap book together. When made for seniors, these books often include fun activities, engaging images, and memory-stimulating questions meant to inspire conversations. Another option is to form a small “book club” in which you and your loved one—and any other family members who wish to be involved—pick a different book to read and discuss.
Planning Movie Nights
Watching a favorite movie can bring back memories for an older adult while also providing something to look forward to. You’ll benefit too by being able to bond with your loved one in a relaxed, enjoyable way. Feel free to get creative with this one to make these moments memorable. For example, you could do themed movie nights or print “movie tickets” and make popcorn.
Having a Day of Pampering
reat your loved one to special pampering days you can enjoy together. Activities of this nature can include therapeutic massages, stress-relieving mani pedis, or a day at a full-service spa. These activities can also be beneficial for a senior with circulation issues, lower back pain, or muscle tension, since spa-based treatments often involve gentle and soothing manual manipulations and the use of various lotions and creams.
Gardening
Gardening is great for seniors, since it’s productive yet not overly physically demanding. By doing it together, you can take care of tasks like weeding while your loved one does things like picking, snipping, or using a light watering can. Plus, if you grow fruits, veggies, herbs, or spices, these things can be used to cook some healthy, nutrient-rich meals.
Baking/Cooking
Kitchen-based activities are an excellent way to bond with an aging adult while encouraging socialization with other family members, neighbors, and friends. Baking and cooking are also hands-on activities that can help with fine motor and cognitive skills. What’s more, you can steer your loved one toward healthy variations of favorite recipes.
If your parent needs regular help with preparing nutritious meals, a home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional 24-hour care. Victoria seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Taking Classes Together
Seniors tend to be more motivated to learn something new with partners. Encourage your loved one to explore new activities by looking for local classes for seniors. Many places that offer such classes allow family caregivers to participate as well or provide assistance. Some of the possibilities include:
• Senior yoga or low-impact workout classes
• Classes focused on swimming or other water-based activities that are easier on joints
• Art/craft-based classes
Engaging in these types of enjoyable activities can enhance your loved one’s overall wellbeing, and so can having the help of a compassionate caregiver. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional at-home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. To hire a dedicated caregiver, call Home Care Assistance at (250) 592-4881 today.