Old age is an inevitable part of life and as we grow older, we experience at least some loss of mobility. This occurs for a variety of reasons, including chronic medical conditions, diminished balance and even certain medications. When that happens, activities and hobbies they used to enjoy might now be too difficult.
When ageing brings physical challenges for a senior loved one, creative activities can brighten his or her life. As caregivers, we aim to provide the best elderly care possible to our senior loved ones; and loss of mobility doesn’t mean that we can’t help them have a good time.
Unfortunately, loss or lack of mobility can also have mental and psychological consequences, so this makes it even more important that we – as elderly caregivers – encourage them and help them indulge in activities that are suitable for them.
Despite reduced mobility, your loved one can capitalize on the intact faculties. Some hobbies boost cognitive function, dexterity, flexibility, and muscle tone. Here are ways to keep your loved one delightfully engaged.
Reading
Reading is a fantastic activity for older adults. It’s a fun way to spend time and keep the brain engaged. It can also improve memory, reduce stress, improve sleep, and delay cognitive decline. Whether your older adult likes reading physical books, magazines, using an e-reader, or listening to audiobooks, they can immerse themselves in a well-told story, look at photographs, or learn about an interesting new topic. Organizing a book club among their friends is another way for seniors to enjoy reading and socializing.
Enjoy Some Brain Games
Books of riddles, quizzes, word searches, sudoku and arithmetic logic are available at many bookstores. They provide endless hours of entertainment and fun; they are also inexpensive. Sit with your senior loved one and work on a riddle or word search together to inspire them. These kind of games also boost mental health and sharpen the mind, thereby making older adults more alert and aware.
Exercise Regularly
Even if your older adult isn’t very mobile, there may still be exercises they can do to get their bodies moving. Whether they’re sitting or standing, they can still get the health and mood benefits, especially from chair exercises or chair yoga routines. There are also exercise routines that can be done using a walker for stability or just focused on the feet and ankles to reduce swelling.
Get Creative
There’s at least a small spark of creativity in all of us and this doesn’t change as we get older. All things artistic are ideal for those with restricted mobility and deliver plenty of health-boosting benefits. From crocheting and colouring to knitting and whittling, making and creating is a positive and productive way to while away some hours. Getting in touch with your artistic side and learning to do something new can help boost self-esteem, create a sense of accomplishment, reduce stress and stimulate cognitive function.
Visitors
Companionship is one of the most important things for an elderly person. Ask family members and friends to drop by and spend some time together with them. You can even ask their friends to come and visit from time to time or take your senior loved one to visit them. Doing this, helps eliminate feelings of loneliness and isolation and makes them happy.
Herb Gardening
While it may be difficult for your loved one to tend an outdoor garden, who says they can’t do it indoors? Herbs are a great thing to grow indoors, especially if your loved one has a sunny windowsill for them to sit on. Pick up a few of your loved one’s favourite herbs at a garden store along with a pot or window box and some soil to replant them in. Together you and your loved one can get your hands dirty replanting the herbs. What’s also great about herbs is that they need to be watered and tended to very regularly, which will give your loved one something to do every day!
Senior citizen care doesn’t always have to be about medications and doctor/hospital visits. There are things that are sometimes way more important and that is keeping your elderly loved ones happy and mentally and emotionally well. Elderly caregivers need to encourage their loved ones who have reduced mobility to indulge in these activities and can even give them company by joining in!