Activities for elderly and their carers
Being in one’s golden years doesn’t necessary have to mean spending your days idly sitting at home. You don’t have to stop doing the things you enjoy. There are a plethora of good activities for elderly. Moreover, being physically and mentally active will improve seniors well-being and help them feel useful and happy.
Time spending on various games can be even more special, if you have someone to share it with. Your live-in carer will be a perfect companion for those special activities. Additionally, as a family member you can be sure, that needs of your loved one are being more than catered for.
Games for the Elderly
Adopting a healthy lifestyle in autumn of one’s life should be a priority. Games and other good activities for elderly are proven to have several major benefit. They are also a great resource to occupy elders leisure time. In order to stay sharp, elderly must be exposed to various kinds of mental, social and physical stimuli. It can prevent separation, anxiety, depression and reduce stress.
Activities for elderly that challenge the mind
As previously stated, keeping up mental strength in old age is essential. It can be done by implementing a couple of fun exercises into the daily routine. Most of them can be enjoyed in a caregiver-elderly tandem.
- Bingo – it is an example of fantastic group activities for elderly that not only promotes mental exercise, but encourages social participation. Seniors have to match numbers (announced by a game host) printed in different arrangements on cards. Going out and becoming a bingo group member will help seniors with building a beneficial connection with someone their age.
- Jigsaw puzzle – it will be wise to invest in a jigsaw puzzle targeted towards elderly. They are larger hence easier to handle for people with limited mobility or sight problems.
- Scrabble – one of the group activities for elderly and their carer. Ideal for older people with busy mind, who like to solve problems.
- Sudoku and Crossword – they are a logic-based games, that require mathematical or language skills. Besides being a great tool to sharpen elders mind, it can also give them a sense of accomplishment.
- Chess and card-matching – depending on elders age you can also go for chess (for younger seniors) and card-matching (for slightly older people). Both train brain and increase memory skill.
Activities for elderly that promote creativity
We can’t forget about the elders creative side. It is vital to express individuality and imagination at any age. Those activities will be a great tool for expressing one’s thoughts and emotions.
- Painting – a pass time with a lot of benefits for elderly. It will boost seniors self-esteem and stimulate cognitive functions, as well as improve their eye-to-hand coordination.
- Scrap booking – sometimes the memories are the only thing that elders have left. That’s why it is extremely important to preserve them. Simply collect photos, newspaper scrapings or old letters and put it in a big notebook. This activity will allow the Elderly to connect with the past and stimulate long-forgotten memories.
- Flower arranging – if elderly has no issues with mobility, flower arranging can be combined with going outside, as it has been proven, that physical activity is a wonderful idea at any age.
Activities for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients
Patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s will find everyday task more difficult as time progresses. That doesn’t mean elderly suffering with these disorders can’t enjoy quality leisure time. Moreover, engaging in fun activities, that stimulate brain can be much more beneficial for dementia patients.
Carer will adjust the activities according to the stages of seniors disorder. Many dementia patients suffer from neglect, hence it is very important to make them feel included and successful. As for the elderly with Alzheimer’s it is worth engaging in games, that help them reconnect with memories.
- Simplify thing by focusing on one of the five senses – overstimulation may cause confusion an anger in elders suffering from dementia. Instead of providing a lot of stimuli, focus your activities on one sense. Carers will often propose music therapy in the form of listening to seniors favourite signer, band or genre together. Cooking with the caregiver is also a great activity.
- Painting, knitting, collaging – involving elderly with various forms of arts and crafts was proven to be especially effective in Alzheimer’s therapy.
- Manual activities for elderly with carers assistance – including folding towels, paring socks or jigsaw puzzles.
- Games to enhance memory and attention – memory problems affect both dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. We have to remember, that brain is not unlike muscles. Meaning, you have to excises it in order to keep it function properly. Carer may want to give elderly some fun tasks, for example: “Name six items that you can wear beginning with letter t” or “Look around the room and find 5 objects, that you take on picnic”.