Mental and physical engagement are vital to the wellbeing of older adults. Therefore, family caregivers need to find fun and meaningful activities for their senior loved ones to do each day. Below are some games your loved one might enjoy and the benefits of each game.
1. Name that Song
Guessing the names of classic hits or new tunes could be fun for your loved one and boost his or her cognitive health. Your loved one will need to think about the words and different sounds to determine what song is playing on the speaker. To prevent your parent from becoming frustrated, try to choose familiar melodies. Making your loved one guess the name of a song he or she has never heard before could take the fun out of the activity.
Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Montgomery, AL, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver.
2. Golf
Golfing helps older adults stay mentally engaged while burning calories. The activity is also an excellent way to promote social interaction. Your loved one can lower the risk of boredom and loneliness when joining family and friends for a game of golf. For days when your parent wants to stay inside, you can purchase indoor golfing equipment. Your loved one can also play the sport on a video gaming system, which benefits vision and brain health.
3. Monopoly
Monopoly is a classic game seniors can play with family members, especially their grandchildren. Intergenerational relationships are essential for older adults because they keep seniors mentally and physically active. When playing Monopoly, your loved one will need to concentrate on making the right moves and avoiding costly mistakes. Using cognitive skills can keep the brain sharp, boost attention span, and stave off conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful game-playing partner for your loved one. In-home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.
4. Cup Stacking
All your loved one needs to play this game are cups, friends, and thinking skills. Each participant will have a stack of cups he or she must use to build a pyramid. The objective is to create and dismantle a cup pyramid as quickly as possible. While creating a cup stack, your loved one will boost his or her hand-eye coordination, processing speed, reaction time, and logical thinking skills. Although this is a competitive game, you should encourage your loved one to have fun and enjoy every moment. The more engaging and exciting the game remains, the more likely your parent is to play it again.
5. Card Games
Reduced mobility is common for many seniors due to weakened muscles, poor posture, and less flexibility. However, mobility limitations shouldn’t prevent your loved one from enjoying fun activities such as card games. Your parent can play a variety of card games while sitting—including UNO, rummy, spades, and bridge—which can boost his or her mental and emotional health. As a bonus, encourage your loved one to shuffle and pass out the cards to provide his or her hands with a little exercise.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of senior care. Montgomery families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (334) 593-3988 to learn more about our customized care plans.