Seniors sometimes find it difficult to fill their schedules when they have so much extra time available after retirement, but the senior years are the ideal time to develop new hobbies that help older adults enjoy life and preserve their health. These six activities can be done every day, so your aging loved one will always have something enjoyable to do.
1. Knit for Charity
Many seniors enjoy volunteering, and your loved one benefits from knowing his or her services can help others. However, many volunteer positions only require people to help out occasionally. Knitting for charity is something your loved one can do at any time. He or she can also sew, crochet, or build items that can be given to people in need.
2. Write in a Journal or Blog
Writing can keep your loved one’s mind sharp and reduce negative emotions. Give your loved one a journal and pen, or set him or her up with an electronic blog. Your parent can then establish a specific time of the day to write. Many people enjoy writing early in the morning or in the evening, and you’ll notice your loved one’s language skills grow as he or she writes more.
Interacting with a home caregiver can also provide a great way for your parent to exercise his or her communication and language skills. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of senior care. Edmonton Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
3. Tend to the Plants in a Garden
Gardens require daily upkeep. Help your loved one pick out a few plants to grow in an outdoor garden. Your loved one can also grow plants in indoor containers. Tending to plants provides a sense of accomplishment, and your parent will love picking a bouquet of flowers or harvesting some fresh vegetables to eat.
4. Enjoy a Lunchtime Chat with a Friend
Meals can get lonely for seniors, and those who eat alone are at risk for malnutrition. Schedule a daily visit from your loved one’s friends or a professional caregiver. Your parent may eat healthier when there’s someone to talk to, and he or she will love the mental boost socializing provides.
For families living in Edmonton, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
5. Do a Crossword Puzzle
Doing daily crossword puzzles boosts language abilities as well as memory. Seniors can find crosswords in their daily newspapers, or they may prefer to keep books of puzzles close by. Trying to come up with the correct words for the clues is a great way to increase vocabulary skills. Your loved one can also carry a puzzle to appointments to keep his or her mind occupied.
6. Practice a New Skill or Hobby
Seniors should continually strive to learn new things throughout their lives. Your loved one can use a new passion as an activity to do every day. For instance, your parent may choose to practice playing the piano or go over the new words he or she is learning in a foreign language class. Daily practice sessions can help your loved one make progress that builds self-confidence.
Engaging in these types of everyday activities can enhance your loved one’s overall wellbeing, and so can having the help of a compassionate caregiver. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Home Care Assistance will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call us today at (780) 490-7337 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.