Seniors who lead active social lives tend to experience less age-related cognitive decline and benefit from better overall physical and mental health. If you have an aging parent who appears to no longer be as socially engaged as he or she once was, it’s understandable to be concerned. Luckily, there are some ways you can help your loved one become more engaged in social activities. Here are six suggestions.
1. Planning Special Family Events
You don’t have to wait for the holidays to bring your parent’s family members together. Plan regular events your loved one can easily enjoy and participate in. These “events” can be as simple as:
• Going out to a local restaurant
• Seeing a movie or having a movie night at your loved one’s home
• Planning a day trip to a nearby town
• Asking everyone to come over to your loved one’s home for a big family meal they’ll all chip in to make
2. Joining Local Groups or Clubs
Does your loved one like to read, swim, or work on art projects? If you do some searching, you should be able to find groups or clubs in the area that allow your parent to engage in activities like this with adults within his or her age group. For instance, your loved one might join a book club at a local library or sign up for senior water therapy or swimming classes at the local community center.
If your loved one needs transportation to participate in social groups such as these, consider hiring a professional caregiver. Although it may be challenging to find reliable, highly rated home care, Oakville, ON, families can turn to Home Care Assistance. Our respite and live-in caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with a wide array of important tasks, including cooking, bathing, light housekeeping, and exercise.
3. Taking Up Outdoor Activities
Spending time outside is a great way for seniors to get fresh air and exercise. It’s also an easy way to stay socially active. Possible options for your parent include:
• Taking daily walks with friends or family members
• Playing regular golf or tennis games with other seniors
• Fishing or other activities where there’s the potential to either interact with existing friends or meet new ones
4. Getting Involved with Volunteer or Charity Work
Many towns and cities offer seniors multiple ways to volunteer or participate in a worthwhile charitable event. Encourage your parent to sign up at a local hospital, library, museum, church, or school with a volunteer program. Participating in charity events and volunteering are great ways for your loved one to socialize while also making a difference.
Volunteering can boost emotional wellbeing and lead to a higher quality of life for older adults. Maintaining a high quality of life can be challenging for some seniors, but professional caregivers can help them obtain this goal. Families can trust at-home care experts to help their elderly loved ones focus on lifestyle choices that increase the chances of living a longer and healthier life.
5. Adopting a Pet
In addition to giving your parent a lovable companion that could minimize his or her stress, adopting a pet provides plenty of opportunities to engage in social activities. For instance, the simple act of taking a dog for daily walks provides a chance to interact with neighbors or meet with other dog owners in the area at a local park.
6. Becoming Active on Social Media
Social media isn’t just for younger adults. In fact, more seniors are discovering the many benefits of remaining active on popular platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Social platforms can make it easy for your parent to:
• Reconnect with friends or family members he or she doesn’t see in person too often
• Find new social friends who share his or her interests
• Stay in touch with children or grandchildren who prefer to be more active on social media
For families living in Oakville, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home. To find out how our in-home respite care can help your loved one remain happy and healthy in the golden years, call (905) 337-1200 today.