Just because your elderly loved one isn’t physically able to perform many of the same activities that she used to, doesn’t mean she should stay homebound. Limited mobility means your senior should pursue more mental and cognitive stimulation to help keep her brain active and strong.
Why Engagement is So Important for Your Senior
Even if your loved one struggles to be physically active due to health or cognitive reasons, it shouldn’t limit her options. Her activities may need to be adjusted for her needs or replaced by less physical activities, but they are all an important part of her overall health.
The benefits of staying engaged and active include:
- Improved sense of self-worth and value. If your elderly loved one has lost some of her mobility, she might struggle with how she can still help around the home or be an important part of the community. Finding new activities she can participate in can give her a renewed sense of purpose and value.
- Stronger cognitive abilities. The brain needs just as much exercise as the body, so keeping the brain sharp when the body cannot function as well as it used to is important. Regular workouts of problem-solving, memory retrieval, and making connections can all keep the brain in great shape and help your loved one manage her day-to-day living better.
- Even a little activity helps. Your loved one may not be able to participate in sports or may even be wheelchair-bound, but getting out of bed, lifting a cup of coffee, stretching, and moving as much as possible can help her find relief from chronic pain, discomfort, and stiffness.
- Reduced feelings of depression or stress. Keeping the mind occupied and participating in activities that are engaging can help your loved one not focus on negative thoughts or get swept up in overwhelming feelings of despair and hopelessness.
Five Ways to Help Your Senior Stay Engaged
- Find people she enjoys being engaged with. Your senior might appreciate having different people for different activities. While she might like going to church or watching services online with you, she might enjoy playing cards with a companion care at home provider who visits each week. The more people she can engage with, the more enrichment she’ll receive.
- Get outside when possible. Fresh air helps everyone feel better and restores energy levels. Ask your loved one’s companion care at home provider to bring her out on the porch for some bird watching or walk on her block with a walker.
- Play games. Card games can be a fun way to help your loved one exercise her brain while having fun with a companion care at home provider or family visitor. Always have a deck of cards ready to go.
- Be creative. Another great way to spark the brain and encourage movement is to have some fun art sessions planned for your loved one. She can do them alone or with her companion care at home provider during visits.
- Keep the music on. While your loved one may not start dancing around the room, music can boost the mood, stimulate the brain, and even promote rhythmic movements.
If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Sun Lakes, AZ, please call the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Scottsdale at (480) 284-7360. We are here to help!
