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Seniors are advised to stay busy to maintain physical health and emotional well-being. When elderly parents live at home, they have a wealth of daily opportunities to incorporate enriching activities into each day. Here are ways for adult children to keep aging parents stimulated.
1. Autumn Activities
The crisp autumn weather is perfect for strolls around the neighborhood. Seniors who are unsure of their footing on the outside pavement can bring along a professional caregiver for extra confidence. Visiting a local park gives seniors a picturesque view of the turning crimson and yellow autumn leaves.
Although elderly parents may love animals, maintaining a pet can be too much of a responsibility. Still, adult children can keep their senior loved ones busy by presenting them with a realistic, robotic pet that responds to petting and handling—much like a real puppy or kitten.
Brain games stimulate seniors’ minds and keep them engaged for hours. Word search books or crossword puzzles are the perfect diversions for seniors who enjoy an intellectual challenge. Large-piece puzzles, too, exercise the brain and help seniors maintain cognitive abilities.
2. Winter Activities
In the Midwest, the winter season is often harsh. Heavy snowfalls and icy sidewalks force seniors indoors. But enjoyable activities can be easily enjoyed in the comfy home environment. Winter is the perfect season for spending time in the warmth of the cozy kitchen and baking with the family.
When the grandchildren visit, elderly parents might bake cookies. Seniors experience hours of joy decorating cookies with the kids. Baking can be a social activity and allow families to bond. Following recipes encourages creativity. Baking also has the potential to trigger fond memories in the elderly.
Winter is when the holiday season rolls around. Elderly parents stay busy by decorating the home for the festivities. Arts and crafts activities include creating felted acorns, assembling a wreath, or drawing holiday cards. Seniors who craft feel a sense of purpose and experience cognitive benefits.
3. Spring Activities
During springtime, the green shoots begin to peek out of the soil. Seniors who tend a garden not only stay busy but experience numerous health benefits. The elderly gain strength and flexibility when they bend to dig the soil. Pulling weeds burns excess calories, which helps gardeners maintain weight.
Gardening when the sun is out gives seniors a boost of vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for bone health and the immune system and promotes a positive mood. Spending time in nature is linked with quicker healing, which is a benefit to seniors who are recovering from a surgery.
National Bike Month occurs every May. The warm spring weather is an ideal time for the elderly to fasten their helmets and take the dusty bike out for a spin. Seniors can even stay fit by initiating spring cleaning. Turning on upbeat music transforms spring cleaning into a fun activity.
4. Summer Activities
The seniors’ hard work in the garden during springtime will be appreciated in summer, when the vegetables are ready for harvest. Elderly parents will enjoy giving out the abundance of produce to friends and neighbors—while reaping the social benefits.
The heat of the Midwest can be dangerous to seniors whose homes are insufficiently cooled. Elderly parents will avoid the risk of heat stroke or heat exhaustion by taking long walks in the air-conditioned malls or enrolling in a water aerobics class at a local country club.
Low-impact exercises, like aqua jogging, can also be done solo. Standing in the pool and performing leg lifts improves seniors’ balance and strengthens their core. Flutter kicking and standing water pushups keep seniors physically active and safe from the heat of the summer.
Have a loved one with dementia? Check out our list of Safe Summer Activities for Seniors with Dementia
5. Year-Round Activities
Adult children have endless possibilities when it comes to keeping elderly parents busy throughout the year. Seniors may volunteer for a non-profit that has special meaning for them. The camaraderie of being among like-minded people is rewarding, as is giving back to the community.
Artistic expression can occur year-round. Family members or caregivers can supply the senior with watercolor paints and paintbrushes, a sketch pad or supplies for jewelry making. The elderly might choose to sell the products at craft shows or give them as gifts to loved ones.
Joining local clubs also keeps elderly parents stimulated and busy. Gardening clubs are suitable for seniors with green thumbs. Book clubs give older adults the opportunity to share their thoughts about books, stay in touch with the world, and benefit from the social environment.
Seniors stay busy by participating in enriching activities every day of the year. When elderly parents are immobile or do not drive, families may need extra support. Professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care help seniors gain access to a range of hobbies, activities, and clubs to keep them active.
Our reputable home care agency is staffed with teams of skilled companion caregivers who are trained to meet the daily, nonmedical needs of seniors in our care. Companion caregivers support both the emotional and physical well-being of care recipients in the comfort and familiarity of home.
Companion caregivers develop bonds with seniors by initiating conversations about hobbies and life histories. We play card games or piece together puzzles with care recipients as a way to stimulate their minds and help their brains stay sharp throughout the years. Joining seniors in hobbies motivates them.
Assisting Hands Home Care providers also encourage physical activity to help maintain the health of care recipients. We accompany seniors on walks to ensure they are physically supported and provide reliable transportation to yoga classes, senior centers, and physical therapy appointments, for example.
At Assisting Hands Home Care, we are committed to ensuring that seniors in our care are happy and healthy. Dedicated companion care from our home care agency preserves the independence and quality of life of seniors. Call us at (815) 201-5445 for a consultation and to start quality elder care.
