Every once in awhile, the best thing you can do for an elderly loved one is to just get them out of the house and do something. Homebound seniors often suffer from a lot of depression and stress simply because they are not able to easily get out of the house on their own. By helping them, and making outings a lot easier for them to manage, you can relieve this stress and help them to improve their lifestyles while they are at home, too. Here are a few easy things that most everyone can do.
Go for a car ride. This is a simple one, but it is powerful. The act of just getting out of the house and seeing some scenery is often enough to shake off the doldrums of sitting around all day. This is especially nice during the summer months when you can roll the windows down and enjoy the fresh air, as well. You don’t even need to have a destination in mind, but having one certainly doesn’t hurt. If your loved one is currently in a nursing home or assisted living facility, this might be a little bit harder to orchestrate, but it is possible in most cases. Make sure that you talk with the administrative staff at the institution where they are residing so that all of the planning is done correctly and safely. If you have an in-home caregiver assisting your loved one at their home, check to see if the caregiver is willing to take them for a ride once in awhile. Many professional care services do offer this as one of their provided benefits.
Go to the movies. The theater is a lot of fun, especially if there’s a movie playing that you and your family have been looking forward to. If you are going out with some friends or your kids, invite your mom along with you. Even if she’s never heard of the movie you are going to go see, she will appreciate the company. Most theaters have handicap accessible seating, too, which is perfect if you are using a wheelchair to make your event a little easier. This is actually a really good idea to keep in mind when going out even if your parent doesn’t usually use one. Having a wheelchair with you can make it so there’s less physical exertion on their behalf and help them enjoy leaving the house that much more.
Have a night in. If your mom or dad can’t leave the home, bring the fun to them. Homebound seniors typically don’t necessarily mind being home, but regret the fact that they can’t socialize as much as they used to. Having people come to them erases this concern. It can be friends, family members, or a combination of the two, but having a get together centered around them can be a lot of fun. It also eases any stress that might be related to getting out and about. Some people want big parties, others just want a few close friends nearby. Use your discretion.
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