Feel like the senior in your life has gradually lost their way into a daily routine? It’s common for adults to develop an unnatural routine that eventually dulls their energy levels and negatively affects their physical and mental well-being. However, there’s a bright side: You can introduce many exciting activities to improve your loved one’s quality of life.
There are a variety of options that are suited to a variety of mental and physical capacities, so you’ll be able to engage your elderly loved one in as many ways as feasible.
Check out this list of 5 activities that stimulate your mind that you can utilize as you can to assist your aging loved one become more engaged in their own life.
- Crafting
Let their creative energy flow through any of the crafts. Invite them to use acrylics or watercolors or draw and sketch (with anything from pencils or markers to crayons or chalk) to make basic or more complex patterns, design jewelry, make pottery, or engage in any activity that lets them show their creative side. Many older adults enjoy having the freedom and time to develop their talents. It’s also a good method to make connections with other people in a social setting. Your loved one might even feel the urge to wear, present or even sell their creative creations. - Gardening
If you have an elderly relative who loves the outdoors gardening is a wonderful choice. Even if they don’t have the physical strength and the agility to tackle more challenging gardening tasks, there are simple tasks to be done like raking placing seeds and watering. You can care for anything including flowers, shrubs, fruits, herbs, and vegetables. This activity arouses the senses and gives the elderly old person in your family a chance to soak in some essential Vitamin D. In the case of physically able seniors, there are the added benefits of exercising in activities like gardening, digging, and weeding. At some point, the fruit of their labor will be fully blooming for extra enjoyment. - Walking & Exercising
Aid your loved ones with aging to get those endorphins flowing with an exercise routine. Take walks together around their neighborhood, encourage them to join an exercise club, or take them to a swimming class. Take a look at opportunities for organized workout classes such as Yoga, Senior Aerobics, or other alternatives for strengthening and heart pumping. If they find it difficult to leave their homes set up exercise videos that they could participate in on their computer or TV. - Higher Learning
Is your loved one the kind of person who studies? Consider allowing them to attend lectures on a regular basis or continuing education classes. This is a superb way to maintain mental alertness and keep them interested. Some senior living communities, like assisted living in Costa Mesa, and local community centers provide these types of learning opportunities. You can check out the opportunities at local community colleges, too. There are a variety of choices to make the most of the academic and cultural offerings for seniors. - Reading & Writing
If someone who is in your life likes magazines, books, or other reading material, make sure to make these options available regularly. This activity can be done individually, between the two of you, or as groups. Do they like discussing their most recent books in a book club? It’s a great opportunity to voice their opinions and socialize. Maybe they love to write personal stories. If that’s the case it’s a good idea to encourage them to compose some writing of their own. Brief articles, family histories autobiography, poetry creative writing, how-to’s, the sky’s really the limit! Writing can help keep your brain sharp and your creative juices wide. Writing can also help develop an increased sense of passion and purpose.