Senior citizens often face emotional difficulties during the winter months. This occurs for a number of different reasons, but one of the easiest ways to prevent this from happening is to keep active. For many, this is also difficult, but it is certainly not impossible. Keeping active, whether mentally or physically, is something that is much easier done when that person is not alone constantly. Whether you have a professional in-home care service working with your mom or dad, or you act as a family caregiver yourself, having a few activities that your loved one enjoys can make the homebound winter months a lot more pleasant.
Activity #1: Indoor Gardening
Gardening is a favorite activity for many people, but during the winter, it is almost impossible to keep outdoor plants alive, especially for those that live in the northern part of the state. Regardless of where you live, indoor gardening is easier today than ever before. Plus, it is a lot easier for seniors to take part in because it is a lot less grueling physically. Whether you parent wants to grow flowers, herbs, or even smaller vegetables or berries, it is pretty easy to get started with an indoor garden.
You can begin with a few houseplants in pots. If they are able to leave the house easily, you can make a day out of it and go to the store, buy the pots (if needed), purchase some potting soil, and then pick out the plants themselves. Bring them home, set them up, and place them near a window so that they can receive the appropriate amount of sunlight. Or, if your loved one is a little more serious about gardening, buy a few planters, the soil, and some herb seeds, getting them set up where they will get light. This way, not only do they have plants to tend to, but they are also useful in recipes that calls for fresh herbs. This makes the indoor gardening hobby a lot more interactive and gives everyone something to look forward to, and can even create more activities in the future.
Activity #2: Painting
Painting is not only fun, it allows seniors to flex their creativity a little. For those suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, this can actually be very beneficial. Studies have shown that activities that stimulate the brain can sometimes slow down the spread of this disease. There are endless possibilities in this category for seniors.
Painting may be difficult for some seniors, especially if there is a physical disability or severe arthritis in the hands. However, this is something that can often be worked around. In fact, depending on the limitation, painting can sometimes be therapeutic, such as with the stroke recovery process. If you have concerns about this, we encourage you to get in touch with a doctor or another specialist that will be able to tell you whether painting–or any other activity you might have in mind–will be helpful to your loved one.
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