I’m sure everyone has heard it many times: Staying active is beneficial to everyone, both young and old. And the health benefits associated with being active become more critical as we age. Staying physically and mentally active help seniors maintain their independence as they get older. Check out these five activities to keep your senior loved one mentally sharp and physically active.
Walking
Never allow limited mobility to become a hurdle to what experts describe as one of the best and most natural forms of exercise. It can be done with any age group and accomplished indoors or out. How does one walk at home? Put on a bit of music and walk or march to the beat. If your loved one is mobile enough, they can do side to side steps and even add arm movements to help with cardiovascular health and any respiratory congestion.
Chair Workouts
One of the best activities to do safely at home with a loved one is to practice chair exercises with them. Chair workouts can include yoga stretches of the upper body. You can also find a lot of YouTube videos for armchair exercises for seniors and the disabled. Check out https://assistedcares.com/elderly-exercise-7-exercises-for-an-ageing-body/ for more great exercises for seniors.
A simple game of catch with both of you seated is terrific for cognitive function and health. Try to encourage balance, range of motion, and hand-to-eye movements for the best results.
Art Activity
We’ve all seen the popularity of painting classes and painting events. So, why not bring art classes to your loved one? You can do any drawing or painting, and even some types of pottery are possible. A quick walk through a chain craft store shows you all kinds of kits and supplies. You can pick things that cater to children if your loved one has a limited range of motion or cognitive decline. You can also invest in advanced materials if you feel they will enjoy a once or twice weekly art class.
Book Club
With the rise of FaceTime, Zoom, and other virtual meeting spaces, it is easier than ever to help your loved one “gather” with others online. Be sure there is a computer with a large enough screen and an internet connection capable of the speeds required, and then help them find or even create an online book club. If there are vision impairments, listen to a book on tape together, and then join in on the discussions!
Gardening
In the recent pandemic, millions of people discovered the joy of gardening. Why not encourage your loved one to discover it, too? Window or box gardens are easy to make and manage, but if they are mobile enough, an outdoor garden is also a joy.
These are only a few of the most workable solutions to the question of what to do when your loved one needs to remain at home. Supply a mix of mental and physical activities, and you’ll improve their quality of life substantially.
To learn more about In-Home Care and how Assisted and our team of compassionate caregivers can help your loved one maintain their independence, call 800-949-6555 or visit us at www.AssistedCares.com.
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