If you provide in-home care for an elderly parent, helping him or her stay healthy and happy may be as simple as playing a board game or taking a walk together. If you’re wondering how else you can promote your loved one’s wellbeing, here are a few ideas.
Encourage Mental Stimulation
Engaging in activities such as crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Scrabble, and other games that stimulate the mind facilitates both mental and emotional functions in seniors. The joy of completing a puzzle or playing a game with friends, family members, or an in-home caregiver may boost your loved one’s feelings of self-worth and promote a positive outlook.
Promote Self-Sufficiency
As a caregiver, it’s easy to fall into the habit of doing things for your loved one that he or she can easily do without help. However, by encouraging self-sufficiency and independence, the opportunity to increase activity and movement can boost your loved one’s energy and physical health. Even the smallest of tasks, such as writing a grocery list or sorting laundry, can keep the mind and body engaged during the day.
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 address if their families opt for professional homecare. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Schedule Daily Activities
Keeping seniors fit and active promotes health and wellness, both physically and mentally. Scheduling a routine of activities, such as exercising, shopping, and gardening, keeps your loved one engaged and provides an easy way to maintain balance and stability. Participating in these activities together also creates camaraderie and shows you lead by example.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. Reston families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. 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.
Include Socialization
Being socially active is just as important as being physically active. Creating opportunities to socialize with friends and family or attend local senior events can promote self-esteem and help seniors maintain a high quality of life. Enlisting your loved one in a hobby or community service can enhance his or her emotional stability and ward off the effects of depression and loneliness.
It takes little effort to boost the health of seniors. Creating a schedule of activities including exercise, games, and opportunities for socialization can increase the wellbeing and longevity of the senior you care for. Practicing what you preach also reinforces the idea you’re a team and strengthens the bond between you.
Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Reston, VA, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, call us today.
