A report by Statistics Canada suggests social activity helps seniors ward off loneliness, feel better about themselves, have a more positive view of their health, and enjoy a higher level of satisfaction with life. While these findings aren’t too surprising, some seniors do need a gentle nudge to become more socially involved and engaged. Below, you’ll find six unique ways seniors can get the socialization they need.
1. Starting a Garden
A garden can be any size or shape and contain a wide variety of beautiful and/or edible things. What’s more, seniors can get some regular assistance with the various tasks involved in caring for a garden from family members, friends, and neighbors. Also, if tasty and nutritious things are grown, seniors can even invite people over for some healthy, delicious meals.
2. Making Eating Social
Speaking of meals, the act of eating doesn’t have to be a solitary experience. Seniors can stay socially engaged while enjoying things they love to eat and cook at the same time. Creative ways to do this include:
• Hosting “cooking parties” where friends and family members bring various dishes and help with the cleanup
• Eating out with others at various local eateries and restaurants on a weekly or biweekly basis
• Cooking and/or baking with family members and friends
In Edmonton, home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Home Care Assistance, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. We offer a revolutionary program called the Balanced Care Method, which encourages seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.
3. Finding Senior-Friendly Groups to Join
There are many groups that are especially appealing for older adults. Some of these clubs or groups meet weekly, while others host a combination of in-person and online events. Some groups also plan outings, fundraisers, and other events that provide additional opportunities to socialize and mingle. Clubs seniors often appreciate include ones involving:
• Art or music
• Church-based activities
• Books and reading
• Trips to local museums or historical sites
• Day trips to local places of interest
One of the many tasks a home caregiver can assist your loved one with is transportation to social events. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same senior care services. Families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
4. Playing Sports
Sports aren’t just for the young. If your senior loved one is still mobile and fairly healthy, a fun and beneficial way to get socialization is to play a favorite sport with like-minded seniors or family members. Some sports, such as golf, can involve friendly competition in a way that’s slowly paced and relaxing. Even more rigorous sports like tennis can be good for seniors to play with partners as long as efforts are made to stay hydrated.
5. Interacting with Grandchildren
Grandchildren can be a welcome and wonderful source of fun and social engagement for seniors. From playing board games and working puzzles to taking walks to local parks and doing various art and craft projects, there are many ways seniors can stay social with some help from grandchildren.
6. Exploring Technology
It’s sometimes assumed seniors naturally shy away from technology, but this isn’t the case at all. In fact, more than half of all seniors today use the Internet on a regular basis. If your loved one is new to online engagement, steer him or her toward options that can be appropriate and beneficial for older adults, such as:
• Senior-friendly websites
• Online forums with senior-specific topics
• Social media platforms like Facebook
Seniors who live alone may welcome the companionship of in-home caregivers. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Edmonton, AB, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home. If you need professional home care for your loved one, Home Care Assistance is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (780) 490-7337.