Whether your loved one is aging in place at home, living in a senior facility or with you, it’s important to build memories not only to benefit you and your loved one now, but to set aside for their family in years to come. Here are a few ideas for activities with your aging loved one which can be cherished later.
Try Scrapbooking
Scrapbooking is a fun activity for people of all ages, but it can have a great benefit for older people who are suffering with cognitive decline or dementia. Not only does scrapbooking exercise cognitive skills and physical dexterity, but it provides emotional nourishment and helps preserve memories. Spend some time with your loved one and look through old photographs, clothes and ticket stubs to help your loved one remember past events. Using these along with some simple scrapbooking supplies are an easy way to bond with your loved one and record memories at the same time. Here’s a couple scrapbooking elements to get you started.
Add magazine clippings to the scrapbook to help personalize your loved ones pages. What are some of their favorite hobbies? Did they love to cook, fish or sew? Find images of things your loved one enjoyed or currently enjoys doing and include them in the scrapbook for personalization.
Schedule an Interview
If your aging loved one is like most, they likely welcome any opportunity to share memories and experiences from their life. You may have heard the same story a time or two over the years, but there are surely many you haven’t heard. Get to know more about their lives by interviewing them while using a voice recorder to record their answers in their own words. Hearing your loved ones voice sharing the memories of his or her life will be a treasured keepsake for generations to come. Here’s a list of questions to get you started.
Inspire your loved one and let their imagination soar. Ask them to tell you something that they always wanted to do but never got the chance. Did they always want to take flying lessons but were too afraid? Did they want to vacation and see the pyramids but never made it a priority? Have them tell you about it and spare no details!
Throw a Party
What better way to make memories than to throw a party? Whether your loved one is living at home or a facility, here are a couple great party ideas for a fun memorable experience. Be sure to pack the camera and take a lot of pictures to record the fun to be relived later.
Host a Proper Tea Party
Tea parties aren’t just for English ladies with their pinkies up! Men and women alike can enjoy the sophistication and elegance of a nice cup of tea and good conversation. Along with the tea, provide bite size sandwiches, scones and biscuits for an afternoon of grace, refinement and great company. Print and add your photos to these tea party picture frames as a great way to remember the fun.
Have a 50’s Sock Hop
Press rewind and send your loved one back in time with an old fashion sock hop! Cook up the 1950s all-American burgers piled high with condiments and served with cool Coke Floats. Play classic 50’s music and watch your loved ones eyes twinkle as they relive the excitement of their youth. YouTube has some great sock-hop music playlists; check them out here!
Get Painting
Create your own “Paint and Sip” party right where your loved one lives. Traditionally, these parties serve wine to the participants, however we think sparkling cider is a great option and just as fun. Paint parties are the hottest trend and now your loved one can be in on the action. Pick up some art supplies and a bottle of sparkling cider and let your loved one get creative. Have a print-out of an image or landscape to be recreated and watch your loved ones creativity shine.
If you have a computer or tablet handy, try streaming a Bob Ross painting tutorial. Paint along with Bob and create some “Happy Little Trees”.
For questions or to learn more about Assisted Home Health & Hospice and the services we offer, call 800-949-6555 or visit us at www.assisted1.com.