Finding new things to keep your senior loved one busy can help him or her enjoy a higher quality of life. However, you may have difficulty coming up with interesting activities if your loved one constantly says he or she is bored. These eight activities are all favorites among seniors, and suggesting a few is certain to get your loved one interested in trying something new.
1. Join a Walking Club
Seniors can work in their daily exercise and enjoy some socialization by joining one of these clubs. Walking clubs can be found in most communities, and they often walk indoors at malls or outside at a local park. Your loved one can find a walking club that’s just for seniors or join one with members of mixed ages.
2. Go Back to School
There’s something neat about going to school just for fun. After all, your loved one can just enjoy learning when he or she isn’t pressured to earn a degree. Have your loved one check out classes for seniors or take an extracurricular course such as painting to help him or her develop the new interest.
3. Make Something Pretty
Seniors love crafting, and your loved one can combine a love for arts and crafts with the need to decorate his or her home. Help your loved one pick out some supplies to make a wreath or flower arrangement. Then let your loved one enjoy expressing his or her creativity while also making something to enhance the aesthetics of the home environment.
For seniors with health limitations such as severe arthritis that make crafting a challenge, painting with a computer program or listening to audiobooks can be enjoyable. Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Tucson, AZ, Home Care Assistance are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.
4. Play with a Pet
Animals bring great joy to seniors, and spending time with a cat or dog also boosts their health. Supply your loved one with a new toy or leash for the pet and watch them play together. If your loved one doesn’t have a dog or cat, he or she can adopt one or volunteer at an animal shelter.
5. Share Stories
If your loved one enjoys talking about the past, provide a fun way to share stories with anyone who wants to listen. Come up with a few questions to help your loved one get started, then plan a time to record the answers to share as a podcast. Whether you only distribute it to family or make it public is up to your loved one, but either way, he or she may get a kick out of talking about his or her personal history.
6. Try Musical Therapy
Music has an uplifting effect on seniors, and singing along to music strengthens cognitive abilities. Your loved one can listen to his or her favorite music at home, or you can make it extra fun by taking him or her out on the town to enjoy a concert or private show.
7. Take Dance Lessons
Many seniors grew up in a time when group dances were a normal part of their social lives. Bring back the joy that comes with doing the fox-trot across the floor by signing your loved one up for a few dance lessons.
Although some elderly people have mobility challenges that limit their ability to dance, they can still get out of the house and socialize with the help of a professional caregiver. Tucson at-home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
8. Explore the Community
Going on an outing is always welcome for seniors who feel cooped up at home. Try to plan a special chance to explore the community together at least once a week. If you can’t go that often, have a caregiver accompany your loved one to make sure he or she always has the chance to do a little urban exploration.
Engaging in fun activities helps seniors boost their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, but some may need a bit of assistance to remain active. Living alone at home in the golden years can present a few unique challenges. Trust Tucson senior home care professionals to help your senior loved one maintain a higher quality of life while he or she manages an illness and performs the daily tasks of living. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate, professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (520) 276-6555 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.