Staying healthy and feeling your best is important at any age, but it’s especially important for seniors as staying active can have a significant impact on physical, mental, and emotional health.
As we age, it’s sometimes difficult to know how and where to branch out and socialize, but finding activities to do with elderly parents can be great for everyone involved. It gives you a chance to spend time with your parents while giving them time to socialize, stay active and maintain a normal lifestyle.
Do you have elderly parents who could use a little encouragement when it comes to staying active and engaged? Here are five pieces of sage advice that reveal how to help lonely parents while getting them out and about and enjoying life.
Encourage Them to Lend a Helping Hand
Depending on your parent’s skills and mobility, volunteer opportunities can be a great way for them to stay active and engaged as well as to feel connected to the local community. For senior care patients, it can also help get them out of the house and into a better mental state.
There are many options for older adults who have retired and have more time on their hands—and the best part is that you can tailor it to their interests. If your loved one is a big animal lover, see if they can volunteer with a rescue organization. If their happy place is the beach, inquire about opportunities to volunteer with an ocean conservation group. Whatever they enjoy, there are likely ways for them to help out and to get something out of it themselves, too.
Give Them the Resources to Stay Occupied at Home
Many elderly people spend their days alone at home without company or entertainment. While you may not always be around during the day when you’re caring for a sick parent, you can still keep them occupied with a number of activities that take little to no effort to enjoy. Find some CDs or even old-school records from their favorite artist, program the radio to a station that broadcasts their favorite music or gather some audiobooks from their favorite genre.
Other things that can be ideal for passing the time at home include solo card games, puzzles, printed books or magazines and easy crafts, like knitting.
Keep Them Moving
Local recreation departments and senior centers offer exercise groups geared to older adults. When seeking activities to do with elderly parents, these can be especially appealing. They cover a wide range of topics, from fitness classes, daily outings and nature walks, that encourage exercise. In addition to providing your loved one with physical activity, these sessions can also provide socialization and may foster friendships that lead to other activities or events.
Get Them a Furry Friend
If your loved one can handle the care and financial responsibilities associated with owning a pet, a new animal companion, can be a great addition to the household. There are thousands of animals in animal shelters across the country looking for their forever home and getting a furry friend for your parent could provide them with a sense of purpose, responsibility and unconditional love, all of which can enhance an elderly adult’s mental health and well-being. This can have a great impact physically as well, if they’re able to get around easily, as walking a dog can be one of the best spring activities for adults after a long winter indoors.
Keep Them Social
Help your aging parents stay connected to other family members, friends and neighbors to keep them in a positive state of mind. Whether that means setting up social events and activities that give loved ones the chance to visit your parent at home or scheduling time for them to venture out and visit others, there is not doubt that there are many benefits of companionship. For some, this may be overwhelming, but it can be crucial to keeping your parent healthy and happy as they age.
Discover Your Senior Care Options
If getting your loved one to and from social events, fitness classes and other activities to do with elderly parents, remember that FirstLight Home Care offers everything from senior and companion care to respite care that can be life-changing for both you and your parent.
Staying active and engaged can be pivotal for maintaining a life that leaves your loved one feeling fulfilled. Our expert caregivers are on hand to assist your family however needed. Reach out to inquire about a personalized quote specific to you and your situation, or call 844-879-7300 to talk with your local FirstLight Home Care team today.