Seniors who are fortunate enough to have grandchildren have much to gain from spending time with their younger relatives. Whether your elderly loved one needs a mental boost or more opportunities for physical activity, bring the grandkids over and get them involved in some fun activities together. Here are a few exciting activities both generations will enjoy.
Play Video or Board Games
Many classic board games are still popular with the younger generations. Kids enjoy the competition, while older adults benefit from the mental stimulation that helps them build and maintain cognitive skills. Having the grandchildren teach your loved one how to play their favorite video games not only creates neural pathways that can help him or her maintain cognition, but it can also help him or her maintain hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care Reston for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Share a Hobby
Baking, gardening, fishing, and knitting are wonderful hobbies that can be shared between grandparents and grandchildren. Working together on a project or hobby can provide your loved one with the emotional satisfaction of passing along a legacy of memories and skills to the younger generation. The grandkids will treasure the time spent at Grandma or Grandpa’s house while learning valuable skills and life lessons in the process.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need in home care, Reston, VA, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. Our caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene. We also provide 24-hour care and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Conduct a Science Experiment
Most children are fascinated by how the world works. Performing simple science experiments at home is a great way for children and seniors alike to hone and exercise analytical and problem-solving skills and enhance cognition. Your loved one can visit the children’s section of his or her local library or go online to get ideas for safe and easy experiments that can be done using everyday objects found around the house.
Go on a Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt can turn an ordinary trip to the park into an adventure. Your loved one can work with the grandchildren to create a list of items to collect, then head to the nearest park to have a friendly competition and see who can find all the items first. The grandkids get a chance to work on their observational skills and burn off a little excess energy, and your loved one gets some aerobic exercise, which promotes cardiovascular health.
Seniors with serious medical conditions may be advised to stay indoors and avoid going out unless it’s absolutely necessary. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional home care service. Reston families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care today at 703-556-8983.
