1. Games & Puzzles

A relaxing way to spend quality time with your parent is to play favorite games or work on various puzzles together. The steps involved in following game rules, remembering other players’ turns, or finding where pieces fit can also help with memory retention, motor skills, and other brain-related processes often affected by age.

A home caregiver can also be a fantastic game-playing partner for your loved one. For families living in Dana Point, elder 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 Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

2. Exercise that Doesn’t Feel Like Exercise

Exercise doesn’t have to be something your parent dreads. In fact, certain physical activities can be something for both you and your loved one to look forward to. A boost in circulation, increased flexibility, and even a natural reduction in pain (thanks to an added release of certain hormones) are just some of the many benefits both you and your parent can get from exercise-based activities. Options include:

• Daily walks
• Yoga and similar controlled-movement activities 
• Swimming, water aerobics, and other water-based activities 
• Golf, tennis, and similar forms of exercise that can be stimulating and competitive in an enjoyable way 
• Video games designed to encourage physical movement

3. Previous Hobbies

Encourage your parent to get back into hobbies he or she enjoyed earlier in life that you can also be a part of. From gardening, stamp or coin collecting, and dancing to crafting items out of wood and making homemade knickknacks or crafts, the possibilities are nearly limitless. Just make appropriate modifications to account for changes in your parent’s capabilities. For instance, with gardening, you might use raised boxes that are easier to reach and care for.

4. Cooking, Baking, & Meal Prep/Planning

If your parent enjoys food or simply any time spent in the kitchen, spend quality time together cooking or baking. Make it a healthy experience by steering your parent toward healthier versions of favorite recipes. This can be especially beneficial if your parent needs to keep his or her weight in check or handle a chronic condition better. 

You can also get your parent involved with daily food prep and planning activities. Such activities could include working on a weekly menu or going to local farmers markets together to shop for fresh ingredients.

When older adults need regular help with preparing healthy meals, home caregivers can be a wonderful source of support. Senior care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

5. Creative Activities

Stimulate your parent’s brain in a way that keeps key areas working together by exploring creative activities. Drawing, coloring, knitting, painting, scrapbooking, and sculpting are among the many creative endeavors that can give your loved one something to focus on. These activities can also ease stress and help both you and your parent relax and create new memories or recall favorite ones.

Engaging in these types of enjoyable activities can enhance your loved one’s overall wellbeing, and so can having the help of a compassionate caregiver. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional at-home care. Assisting Hands® Dana Point is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call at (949) 426-7300 today.