Hobbies like scrapbooking are more than just a fun way for seniors to pass the time. Doing scrapbook projects can actually provide a wealth of physical, mental, and emotional health benefits for your elderly loved one. Here are a few to consider.
Boosts Physical Dexterity
Seniors with decreased motor functions sometimes see occupational therapists to regain physical skills, such as handling tools. When you and your loved one work together on a scrapbook project, it can function as an in-home type of occupational therapy. Gluing, writing captions, cutting, and embellishing pages of a scrapbook can all exercise dexterity. Encourage your loved one to independently complete as many tasks as possible, even if you can do them more quickly.
Pursuing healthy hobbies helps seniors retain their independence and enjoy a high quality of life. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality senior home care. Oakville families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.
Helps Recall Memories
As seniors age, their memories can become more difficult to recall. Sorting through old photos, pieces of fabric, theatre programs, and other similar items used to create a scrapbook can be a wonderful way for seniors to jog their memory. You can also help your loved one by adding heartfelt captions to the finished project so he or she can look back on it and fondly reminisce.
Provides a Sense of Accomplishment
Seniors who design and finish scrapbooks with their loved ones can boost their feelings of accomplishment and enhance their self-esteem. This is why scrapbooking can be especially important for seniors who have cognitive disorders such as dementia because they may find it difficult to complete tasks and feel a loss of control. Whether or not your loved one has a degenerative disease, finishing a scrapbook project can help him or her feel in control and rewarded.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Offers Emotional Nourishment
Some seniors may feel like a burden to the family members who provide care for them on a daily basis. Scrapbooking can be an emotionally fulfilling way to and bring you and your loved one together. Taking the time to do a project together can comfort your parent, and looking at items that bring back old memories while building new ones can also be therapeutic and help him or her relax. Keeping the mind and body active is crucial for maintaining overall health.
Creating a scrapbook with family members and friends is just one of the many ways older adults can socialize. 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. Home Care Assistance will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call us today at (905) 337-1200 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.