Being a family caregiver can offer far more than managing the day to day of doctor appointments, meals, medications and general safety. It can be an opportunity to build a deeper bond with your loved one whether a parent, family member, friend or neighbor. These are the times that you will remember most in your journey as a caregiver, child or friend.
Spending quality time with an elderly parent or loved one is a wonderful way to bond, create memories, and provide them with the emotional support they need as they age. Whether your parent is still active or has more limited mobility, there are plenty of activities that can keep them engaged and bring joy to your time together.
Here are some of the best activities to do with an elderly parent:
1. Take a Walk
A gentle stroll through a local park or garden can be an enjoyable and relaxing activity. Fresh air and nature are beneficial for both physical and mental health, and it’s a chance for meaningful conversation while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.
For those who live in a community or independent living building, walking through the halls can also offer a chance to talk and socialize with other neighbors, especially when it’s cold outside or your loved one has physical limitations.
2. Enjoy a Movie Night
Pick one night per week to enjoy your favorite movies. This is a great chance to watch classic movies or shows that your parent enjoys or introduce them to new, modern films you think they will enjoy. If you have a shared sense of humor, there are plenty of streaming comedians that will get you both laughing, and laughing is good for releasing stress and endorphins. Pop some popcorn, make it cozy, and take a trip down memory lane together.
If you’re loved one feels up to it, get them out of the house and to the movie theater. Watch them take it all in awe and smile as they reminisce about their time at the movies.
3. Visit a Museum or Art Gallery
Many museums and galleries have exhibits catered to all ages, and some even offer senior discounts or free entrance days for elderly visitors. Whether it’s an art museum, history, science or cultural center or aquarium, it is sure to be an enriching experience for you both.
Most cities offer smaller, niche museums and centers that can be easier for the elderly to navigate. For those who have physical limitations or trouble standing for long periods of time, most places do offer wheelchairs and benches placed throughout.
4. Do a Puzzle or Play Board Games
Is there anything better than game night? If your parent likes puzzles or board games, this is a great way to exercise the mind and pass the time together. Many classic games like Scrabble, Monopoly or cards are engaging and help maintain cognitive function. If they are familiar, or up to learning, chess can challenge the strategic part of the mind.
Puzzles can also be a relaxing yet stimulating activity and offer the opportunity to work together to complete it.
5. Gardening or Potting Plants
For elderly who love the outdoors but may not be able to engage in strenuous activities, gardening is a low-impact way to enjoy time together. Whether it’s planting flowers, growing vegetables, or simply watering plants, the connection with nature and fresh air are good for you both.
Potting plants and sharing them with others can be a real feel good. Many other elderly can benefit from taking care of plants, but don’t make the effort to get them. Root a simple pathos and pot them for others. Then give them to neighbors or donate them to an assisted living or long-term care facility.
6. Cooking or Baking
While you may focus on ensuring that your loved one has healthy food to eat that is easy to prepare, having them share in the work is also an opportunity to talk and learn from one another. Spend time in the kitchen whipping up some of their favorite recipes or trying a new dish together. It’s a great way to bond, plus you’ll have delicious food to enjoy afterward. You can also bake in bulk and share with friends or neighbors. Who doesn’t love delicious sweets?
7. Go to a Concert or Live Performance
Many elderly parents enjoy music, theater, or even local community events. Attending a concert, play, or live performance can provide an entertaining day or evening out and bring joy, especially if they have a love for the performing arts. Look for unique local events, which may also be less expensive, or get a subscription to a theater, where you can get a deal on tickets. Make a full evening of it and go to dinner beforehand.
It’s important to remember that a lot of the elderly are mostly homebound and that these experiences can add to their life, and yours.
8. Attend a Senior Fitness Class
If your parent is still mobile and enjoys being active, join them for senior fitness classes such as yoga, tai chi, or swimming. Today, there are even more activities involving chairs, such as chair volleyball, that make them more accessible to seniors and the elderly.
These activities can help improve flexibility, balance, and overall well-being. Plus, doing them together is a great way to encourage mutual health goals. Also, it’s a great way to combine caregiving with self-care for yourself.
9. Scrapbooking and Memory Sharing
Gather old photos, letters, and memorabilia to create a scrapbook together. Not only does this activity give you a chance to reminisce about cherished moments, but it’s also a way to preserve family history for future generations. Let them share stories that may otherwise be forgotten. Make notes in the scrapbook so that the stories can be told again and again in the future.
10. Volunteer Together
“Studies have indicated that volunteering is great for your mental health,” said Susan Albers, PsyD, psychologist for Cleveland Clinic. “It has been shown to decrease stress levels, depression, anxiety and boost your overall health and satisfaction with life.”
If your parent is still passionate about giving their time and talents to others, you can find volunteer activities to do together through websites like VolunteerMatch. Whether it’s helping out at a food bank, reading to children, or knitting blankets for charity, volunteering provides a sense of purpose and can be fulfilling for both of you.
Here are some other ideas and ways for the elderly to volunteer:
Write letters to soldiers or veterans
Write and send cards to other elderly friends and neighbors
Knit small blankets for a cat shelter. When the cat is adopted, they have something that smells like them in the new home.
Handing out food at a food bank
Petting animals at a shelter
Cutting coupons for the military – many bases take coupons, even expired, that can be used on base or post exchanges around the world
Care baskets for homeless and lower income women
Elementary school libraries are always looking for people to help catalog and process returned books. Some senior communities have a library as well.
Conclusion
Engaging in activities with your elderly parent doesn’t have to be complicated, but joyful. Socialization is one of the most important things for seniors and the elderly to reduce feelings of isolation and prevent depression. Take photos and laugh. What matters is to spend time together, making them feel valued and loved and creating memories you will treasure.
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