Most seniors are generally pretty comfortable at home. Having reached a point in their lives when going out on the town isn’t particularly of interest to them, staying at home is an enjoyable way to spend time. Of course, these days, staying at home has taken on a whole new look. It’s a requirement, as mandated by health officials who are trying to contain the spread of coronavirus as best they possibly can.
With that said, most of us are in our homes looking for ways to pass the time in entertaining ways. But what do seniors find entertaining?
Here are three ways to keep seniors entertained while staying isolated at home:
1. Start new artistic endeavours.
When is the last time you pulled out a paint brush, marker or pencil crayon? The same question goes for construction paper, scissors and glue sticks. A little arts and crafts activity each day can certainly make for some interesting creations. By getting your elderly loved one involved, you’ll not only help for self-isolation to be enjoyable, but it may just spark a new passion in an older adult!
“The therapeutic value of drawing and colouring comes from the need to concentrate,” says Karen Buckley on GoldenCarers.com, “Residents immerse themselves and ‘forget’ their troubles whilst in the midst of a colouring activity…Craft activities like making cards, gifts, decorations, bookmarks and collages can be immersive and gratifying.”
2. Engage in some light exercise.
We may be spending a lot more time inside than normal, but that doesn’t mean that it’s couch potato season. Exercise does us all good. This includes older adults who are regularly advised to partake in some light exercise each day. While at home, encourage your elderly loved one to get up to get some blood flowing. Don’t hesitate to join them!
“Older residents who exercise often tend to have improved immune and digestive functioning, better blood pressure and bone density, and a lower risk of many diseases,” New Zealand’s MiNDFOOD informs us, “It also enhances mobility, flexibility, and balance. These are important things to consider during a time in which it will become difficult for them to maintain mobility by doing outside walks and their regular active group or individual activities.”
3. Take trips down memory lane.
We all look forward to the days when life will resume to what we consider to be normal. For example, taking a vacation is out of the question, at the present time. That fact doesn’t prevent you from reminiscing about some of your favourite trips you may have taken with your aging parents. Take out the photo album, tablet or smartphone and go through the pictures of a recent vacation. Better yet, pull out those old travel videos and enjoy some “armchair travel”.
Buckley suggests some armchair travel activities that don’t necessarily involve watching footage of your own trips. “Travel videos can be fascinating to watch,” she says, “Choose a country and some suitable YouTube videos to watch and then follow this up with themed activities based on the chosen country: word search, quizzes, coloring etc.”
While you keep your elderly loved ones entertained, the LifeCare Mobility Solutions team would like to do its part in keeping them healthy and safe. If you have any questions about our mobility solutions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 416-267-9800 or email us at info@lifecaremobility.ca. You may also contact us by filling out the form on our Contact page!
