You can create a stimulating environment at home that will bring them much-needed stimulation to their lives. Assisting a companion is essential for feeling good, and doing something meaningful can make you connect with people, alleviate loneliness, and invigorate both your mind and body. These are some activities for helping to keep your senior friend at home and giving him/her pleasure and meaning.
1. Inventive and Visual Productions.
Artistic expression can be both healing and fun and can give seniors a space to show off and get creative.
- Drawing & Painting: Make an art table with the supplies of paint, brushes, and canvas. The exercises are even merely mental. If you have a limited range of motion, try adapted brushes or textured paper.
- Hobby/Melody: Knit, crochet, or make greeting cards. These can be done alone or with a team, giving an element of accomplishment and a concrete product.
- Photography: Ask older adults to take pictures of their surroundings, nature or family activities. It is also a great activity to help keep your memories alive and to share them with people.
2. Gardens and Natural Activities.
Planting and nature are relaxing and can be tailored to any level of physical ability.
- Container Gardening: Plant a small container garden, using simple to-maintain plants such as herbs or flowers. You can do this inside or outside on a patio, giving you a feeling of achievement and a connection to nature.
- Nature Trails: When you can move, take a couple of short strolls through the backyard or town park. The nature walks offer breath, exercise, and the chance to see and discuss the seasons.
- Bird Watching: Place a bird feeder outside a window and spend time looking for and spotting native birds. This is something both restful and informative.
3. Social and Interactive Games.
Games and puzzles are great for cognitive engagement and social interaction.
- Board Games: Play old-school board games such as Scrabble, checkers, or chess. Play games that you can understand and accommodate any physical limitations.
- Card Games: Play card games like bridge, solitaire, or rummy. Play card games with your friends or family, and you can engage in strategy and socialization.
- Games: Do puzzles with each other. Puzzles can be relaxing and offer an opportunity to feel proud of solving them.
4. Culinary Activities
Cooking and baking can be fun, as it allows sensory experiences and socialization.
- Meal Preparation: Enlist senior participation. Even something as mundane as washing veggies, stirring food, or setting the table, can be entertaining and enjoyable.
- Cooking: Make cookies, muffins, or bread. It’s the adventure and the yumminess of the result, something to savor and share with stories and memories.
- Recipe Exchange: Make a new or old recipe together. It is pleasant to remember and share past meals and it will help bring up good memories and talk points.
5. Music & Dance
Music affects mood and is a form of communication and expression.
- Music Playing: Make playlists of your songs or styles. Listen to music together, talk about your memories of various songs, or simply listen.
- Singing: Sing along with your songs or participate in an online choir. Singing can be happy and can support feelings.
- Dance: Lie on your back or dance to the beat of the music if you can. Sitting dances, or simple arm swings, are fun and stimulating.
6. Exercise and Movement.
Exercise is vital to good health, and is customizable to individual skills.
- Chair Work: Do some simple chair workouts or stretches. They help with flexibility and blood circulation and are gentle on joints.
- Tai Chi or Yoga: There are modified tai chi or yoga classes for seniors. These exercises can improve coordination, power, and relaxation.
- Gehen: Walk around the house or yard for a few minutes. Walking gives you the benefit of both physical fitness and time for conversation and companionship.
7. Learning and Thinking Skills-
Learning can engage the mind and give purpose.
- Reading Together: Read together books, magazines, or newspapers. Discussion can open up conversation and exercise the brain.
- Educational Games: Do trivia or brain games. They work your brain and are a great way to explore.
- Acquiring New Skills: Try a new hobby or skill like language, try a new craft. That can give you the feeling of accomplishment and develop you.
8. Family and Social Relations
Good relationships with family and friends are essential to psychological health.
- Visits from Family: Make frequent trips or video calls to relatives. Share stories, updates, and photos help keep families close.
- Socializing: Hold little meet-ups or Skype events with friends. Interactions with people can bring company and community.
- Volunteering: if you can get older do community service/charity. Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and belonging to society at large.
9. Recollection and Memorization Exercises
Memory and reminiscence exercises can help elders feel special and part of the past.
- Albums: Create album memory, and scrapbook for photos, souvenirs, and stories. It can be therapeutic to review the past and have some conversational good memories.
- Interviews for Life Stories: Interview older adults about their lives and experiences. Recalling these stories can become a treasured memory for the older person and his or her family.
- Legacy Works: Work on projects where older people get to pass on the experience of their lives to the new generation. It might be writing letters, filming videos, or writing family history.
For older adults to have the most meaningful relationships, at home there are a combination of varied activities depending on their strengths and preferences. Artistic activities, from gardening to play-related games and cooking can build relationships that support good sex, stimulate the mind and body, and increase life satisfaction.
