Finding interesting things to do is difficult for many caregivers and their loved ones. While you need to provide activities that keep your senior loved one challenged, he or she may not be able to do some of the things he or she used to enjoy. These seven activities are exciting, interesting, and perfect for helping seniors with Parkinson’s overcome their challenges.
1. Play a Game of Mini Golf
Your loved one may not be able to walk as far as he or she used to due to fatigue and muscle weakness in the legs. However, your parent can still enjoy a fun sport by playing mini golf. This pastime helps your loved one maintain hand-eye coordination and do a healthy amount of walking while completing the course.
2. Cook Up a Recipe Together
Many people enjoy cooking before they’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and your loved one can continue to enjoy this activity. Cooking helps your loved one maintain fine motor dexterity, and preparing a healthy meal encourages eating nutritious foods that feed the mind and body. Keep in mind your loved one may need assistance with using sharp utensils if he or she has tremors.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Align Home Care Services, an elderly home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
3. Create a Sculpture
Working with clay has an earthy, grounding feeling to it that can soothe frustration in seniors with Parkinson’s. Your loved one can also develop hand strength by working with the clay. Remind your loved one that the process is more important than the outcome and that he or she should feel a sense of accomplishment from the mere act of creating.
4. Watch a Movie
There will be days when your loved one just isn’t up to doing much. Your parent may experience sleep disturbances during the night or worry about going out when his or her muscles feel rigid. On these days, have a movie or two ready to pull up on the television. You can make this more fun by selecting a film series that has your loved one looking forward to the next one.
Mobility issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease can make caring for aging adults increasingly challenging. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Portland, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Align Home Care Services, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
5. Learn a New Language
A person is never too old to learn a new language. Have your loved one select a language he or she wants to try, and look for a course that can be taken at home or online. You can even take the class with your parent and practice what you learn together. Learning a new language activates channels in the brain associated with memory and linguistic abilities.
6. Do a Puzzle
A large part of your loved one’s days may be spent waiting for medical appointments and other necessary health checks away from home. Carry a crossword puzzle or word search in your bag to pull out during these times. Your loved one can counteract brain changes that affect memory by using the puzzles to build vocabulary and reasoning skills.
7. Fly a Kite
Spending time outside helps the body produce vitamin D, which can prevent common symptoms such as foggy thinking and fatigue. Flying a kite gently works the hands and arms without being too hard on the legs. In fact, your parent can even fly a kite while seated in a chair so he or she still gets to enjoy some fun.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable home care. Portland, ME, families trust Align Home Care Services to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age. If your loved one needs help with the challenges of aging, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (207) 835-3490.