One of the joys of caring for an aging 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 seniors to exercise their cognitive skills. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Reston families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Reading Together
Often thought of as a solitary activity, reading can also be something you do with your 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
Treat 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 live-in care. Reston 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 elderly home care. Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. To learn more about our highly trained caregivers, call us today.
