If your senior loved one has Parkinson’s disease, participating in a lot of the activities he or she used to enjoy may be difficult. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes tremors, stiffness, and muscle weakness, which can make some hobbies difficult to perform. Help your loved one get the most out of life by finding enjoyable activities he or she can do.
1. Listening to or Playing Music
Both listening to and making music can be therapeutic for seniors with Parkinson’s. If your loved one plays an instrument, encourage him or her to continue. Focusing on the rhythm and beat of the song can alleviate tremors. Singing can exercise the facial muscles and vocal cords, which can help your loved one’s voice stay strong as the disease progresses. Simply listening to music may have benefits, such as increasing the production of dopamine, a chemical lacking in the brains of those with Parkinson’s disease.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable home care service. Families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
2. Playing Video Games
Seniors with Parkinson’s may lose the ability to use their fine motor skills, which can make playing some video games difficult. Modern video game systems, such as Wii and Xbox Kinect, allow seniors to use their hands and arms to bowl and play tennis or golf. This activity is good for boosting physical health, and your loved one can play with others in a group setting, decreasing the risk of isolation.
3. Dancing
Physical activity is important for those with Parkinson’s disease. Exercise can increase balance and strengthen the muscles in the body. Additionally, exercise releases endorphins that can combat depression. Dancing is a great activity that can be done with a spouse, partner, or friend. The dancing partner can help your loved one stay balanced as he or she moves.
Mobility issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease can make caring for aging adults increasingly challenging. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior loved one in Reston, respite care is available when you need time away from your important caregiving duties. At Assisting Hands Home Care, our home caregivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your loved one manage everyday tasks in the comfort of home while you have the chance to take a much-needed break.
4. Volunteering
It’s common for seniors to battle feelings of not being needed as they age, and this may be especially true for those with Parkinson’s who may not be able to do the things they once did. Volunteering can help seniors feel needed. Bake sales, clothing drives, and food drives can all be done by seniors. Hospitals may have opportunities for seniors to visit with those who are bedbound, and local animal adoption centers may need help caring for the animals. Check with local organizations, senior recreation centers, and churches to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
5. Cooking
Cooking is a way for seniors to interact with others and serve their families. Your loved one can make treats with grandchildren or help with a family dinner. Because stiff muscles and tremors can make it difficult to cook, look for adaptive cooking aids—such as pot stabilizers, nonslip rolls, utensil hand clips, and modified preparation boards—to help your loved one as he or she cooks. Check with online stores or local supply stores for adaptive cooking aids.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a Reston homecare agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. To create a customized in-home care plan for your loved one, call us today.
