Stimulating Activities for an Aging Loved One Who Is Housebound

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Just because a senior is housebound doesn’t mean he or she can’t enjoy a variety of fun and interesting activities. In fact, if you provide care for a senior loved one, keeping him or her mentally and physically engaged is one of the most important things you can do for his or her health and wellness. The following are a few enjoyable activities that can keep housebound seniors stimulated and entertained. 

Exercise

Staying fit is important for the physical and mental health of all seniors. Many physical activities, including yoga, strength building, tai chi, and chair exercises, can be modified to fit the needs of housebound seniors who may have limited mobility.  If your loved one needs assistance with daily activities due to limited mobility, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Home care service experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

Creative Pursuits

Retirement can be the ideal time for your loved one to take up a creative hobby or resume one that fell by the wayside when other responsibilities took priority. Painting, making pottery, playing a musical instrument, and crocheting are just a few examples of creative activities that can preserve mental health and make your loved one’s day more meaningful. 

Online Communities 

Although online activity is often associated with young people, more seniors are finding the internet provides a great way to stay connected with what’s going on around the world, further personal interests, and keep in touch with family and friends through email, Skype, and social networks. If your loved one isn’t too familiar with the internet, show him or her the basics. Staying connected, even online, can help seniors avoid feelings of depression and isolation.  For families living in Des Moines, 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.

Work-at-Home Jobs 

There are many part-time jobs that can be done from home. These include various types of freelance work, such as tutoring, translating, writing, creating graphics, and doing data entry. Working from home can help your loved one earn a little extra money and also provide a sense of purpose during the day. There are also ways to volunteer from home, including making phone calls or handcrafting items for those in need. 

Games & Puzzles 

Seniors who read, solve puzzles, or play games often maintain their intellectual faculties longer than those who are less mentally active. Playing cards, solving jigsaw puzzles, reading, and watching educational programs and videos are all ways to keep seniors engaged and mentally alert. You can even suggest video games, which have been proven to help memory and reflexes.  Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of in-home care. Des Moines families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ 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 boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (515) 264-2438 to learn more about our customized care plans.

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