Drastic times call for drastic measures, and the COVID-19 pandemic is a prime example. Millions of normally active elderly adults are now being asked to shelter-in-place and self-isolate so that they won’t be exposed to coronavirus. Unfortunately, it’s causing many of them to feel lonely, anxious and depressed. For family members who are looking out for them, finding some creative activities that they can do is a priority. If you’re currently caring for a self-isolating senior, here are 5 fun activities that you both will enjoy long after things return to normal.

How Staying Active Benefits Seniors

Numerous studies have found that seniors who stay physically and socially active typically benefit from those activities in these ways:

  • Sharper mental acuity and lower risk for developing dementia
  • Higher self-esteem
  • Faster healing rates and recovery times from illness
  • Able to sleep more restfully
  • Stronger bones and muscles
  • Less likely to be lonely, anxious or depressed

Researchers have also discovered that, in general, older adults who stay active well into their 70s and 80s tend to be more independent and live longer than seniors who don’t.

Fun Activities for Homebound Seniors

While taking all of the necessary COVID-19 precautions, here are 5 fun activities that you and your senior can enjoy together:

Get Outdoors

Just because you’re stuck at home doesn’t mean you can’t venture outdoors as-long-as you follow the local public health directives. Basking in the sunlight while engaging in some physical activities will expose you to much-needed Vitamin D and give you both a more positive outlook.

Some fun ways to spend time together outdoors include gardening, landscaping, taking a long walk (be sure to social distance), birdwatching or riding bikes.

Crafts and Hobbies

You’re never too old to learn new hobbies and crafts. Ask your senior for a list of hobbies or crafts that they’ve always wanted to try and then do them together while enjoying some laughs
and warm conversation.

Learning a new hobby or craft is also good for a senior’s manual dexterity and mental acuity, so try something like painting, drawing, baking, crocheting, scrapbooking, playing a musical instrument or maybe even learning a new language.

Reading

Reading allows an older adult to exercise their mind while immersing themselves in new topics. Whether it’s done with books, magazines, by using an e-reader or listening to audiobooks, exploring new worlds through reading has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve memory and promote a better night’s sleep.

If your senior really enjoys reading, show them how to join an online book club so they can socialize with others who have similar interests and views.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise benefits a senior’s joint flexibility, builds muscle and bone strength, and boosts self-esteem, all of which can help reduce their likelihood for experiencing a serious fall. And, exercise is also a great way to relieve stress and sleep better.

Some of the best low-impact forms of exercise for the elderly include Yoga, chair aerobics and interactive video games like Wii or Xbox Fitness.

Games and Puzzles

Board games, card games, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles are not only fun, they also require concentration which sharpens mental acuity and helps prevent dementia. Spending some quality time playing games and doing puzzles with your loved one will not only make the hours pass by quickly, you’ll also enjoy a lot of healthy conversation in the process!

We Keep Homebound Seniors Active & Entertained

Trying to keep a self-isolating senior from getting lonely and depressed can be hard when you have your own household to manage or live far away. When you need a hand, contact Seniors Prefer Homecare. As a fully licensed and insured home care agency, our well-trained caregivers stand ready to serve as an extended family in your loved one’s home while keeping them active and entertained so they can continue aging comfortably in place with dignity and independence.

In addition to companionship, our carefully screened aides can perform in-home duties like light housework, personal care, meals, medication reminders and transportation. And, all our “cream of the crop” home care services can be individually personalized into an affordable package that’ll put your mind at ease! To learn more about Seniors Prefer Homecare now, or to schedule a FREE consultation with a case manager for a senior in Tuscaloosa or Huntsville, AL, today, please visit us at: www.seniorspreferhomecare.com.