Therapeutic Activities for the Elderly

Who says we can’t enjoy the things that keep our minds and bodies active? There are plenty of therapeutic activities for the elderly we can plan for our senior loved ones that will help them not only have a good time, but keep them healthy and mentally agile.

Staying active provides benefits beyond general fitness. It also helps to fight off depression and keeps seniors from getting lonely or feeling isolated by giving them something on their schedule to look forward to throughout the week. These kinds of activities reduce stress and blood pressure, and even relieve tension.

Six therapeutic activities for the elderly that you should start today:

Physical exercise

Just because your loved one is getting older doesn’t mean they have to be resigned to sitting on the sofa and watching TV. If potential injuries from increased physical activity worry you, don’t fret. There are lots of low-impact exercises in which they can partake that are perfectly safe and suitable for achy older muscles and joints. These include yoga, walking outside, hiking in nature, and dancing.

Play games

A terrific way to keep memories sharp, hone critical-thinking skills and concentration, and enjoy family time is to pull the board games down off the shelf and put them to good use! Playing games regularly can give your senior loved one a chance to take their mind off their troubles, which in turn can reduce anxiety and build self-esteem. When the family isn’t around to participate, there are plenty of games to play by oneself, including crossword puzzles, word searches, sudoku, solitaire and a variety of computer games.

Cooking

Helping Mom or Dad whip up a few of their favorite dishes is a great way to bond with your elderly parent. In addition to creating a tasty meal, asking them to teach you how to make some of your favorite fare from when you were growing up is bound to bring back a lot of fond memories for both of you. Plus, your senior loved one will feel happy knowing that they are passing on a family tradition to another generation.

Hobbies

Does your senior loved one have a hobby that they have put aside over the years or something they’ve always wanted to try but never took the plunge? Help them find something they love! Scrapbooking, model building, drawing, making a memory book or a photo album, and crocheting or knitting are all great therapeutic activities for the elderly! Much like playing games, participating in a hobby gets the creative juices flowing, keeps the memory active and clear, and improves focus and concentration. Taking on a hobby is also a great way to create social bonds with those who share common interests.

Music and Movies

Listening to music has been proven to be extremely therapeutic for people experiencing memory issues, and it is also a great way to remember good times they had throughout their lives. Music is a common bond they can share with others in their age group and something they will enjoy passing on to their children and grandchildren. Movies and television shows are another great form of entertainment for seniors because they’re so easily accessible these days. Not only is there a wide range of material available on television, but for a few bucks a month for a subscription, they can access all sorts of content through a streaming service over the internet, be it classic movies and T.V. shows they enjoyed decades ago, or the latest films fresh out of the theater.

Self-Care

Anyone who has ever had a new haircut knows how a little bit of personal grooming goes a long way toward making a person feel better about themselves. Many senior care centers offer salon services among their amenities, making it easy as can be to set up your senior loved one for a cut, style and color, a manicure, or other spa treatments. Feeling good about their appearance will make your Mom or Dad feel more inspired to socialize with their peers instead of isolating themselves in their home.

Don’t wait any longer to get your elderly parent on the move and feeling good. Help get them started with a creative and stimulating activity today. You will both be glad you did!

Find new ways to connect with and care for your family members on Bethesda’s Health & Wellness blog.