Staying home is one of the most effective ways to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. But elderly homecare does not mean that a senior is instantly condemned to ongoing isolation and restrictions. Quality elderly homecare involves keep one connected and active while safe at home. In fact, there are many activities created for this situation. Plus, activities can not only help passes time, but also keeps the mind active.
Here are a few ideas for caregivers that go beyond the usual television and card games.
Exercise Is Great For Elderly Homecare
According to the American Geriatrics Society, no matter your age, it’s never to late to start being active. However, as with most things in life, there is no one size fits all physical fitness routine. Fortunately, YouTube has something for just about everyone. But, when helping your loved ones search for videos, keep these points in mind:
Approval – Their doctor should authorize any physical activity before they start a routine.
Accessibility – There’s no guarantee how long a video will be accessible. So, ensure they have selected several favorites so they’re not caught off guard once they get a routine going.
Communication – The instructor should be encouraging and give easy to follow instructions. Also, stay clear of boot camp type videos. While you want encouragement, this is not the time for ‘Keeping going, you slacker!’ as if they’re training for a triathlon. While exercising is a great elderly homecare activity, over exertion can cause more harm than good to your loved one.
Approval – Their doctor should authorize any physical activity before they start a routine.
Music – The right music can motivate anyone, so make sure to help them find something with music they like.
Zoom – Many exercise instructors and gyms as well as other types of businesses offer live classes via Zoom. These can be really fun because you see everyone in realtime whose taking the class with you. Additionally, your loved one can connect with others in the class. To get insight on these types of classes, check with your local senior center on how to sign up.
Fun Video Calls
During this time, the phone has become an even more important communication tool. While everyone is fairly adept to using a standard phone, video calling is different. There are ways to make both types of communication engaging and fun.
Your daughter, granddaughter or other family member can read to you over the phone or video call. And you can even make the phone call a time to share a story.
How about mailing or emailing them a surprise that you can talk about on the phone? The surprises could be a new puzzle or a story that you started. They can complete the puzzle or add to the story and send it back. Or even a photo that you can discuss. The point is, phone calls don’t have to just be about ‘Hi, what are you do?’
Baking Memories
Baking or cooking activities can awaken memories and create a great bonding experience. Even certain tastes and smells can induce memories and emotions that you can talk about. This elderly homecare activity benefits seniors emotionally, physically and mentally.
The first step though, is deciding what to cook. When you deliver groceries to your loved one, ask them if they want to try one of your favorite meals. Then, on your next visit, you can provide the recipes and ingredients for your favorite dish. Or you can decide together what would be best to cook and even share recipes.
Depending on their abilities, seniors can participate in many of the baking and cooking activities. Things like stirring, mixing or even washing dishes can help keep them engaged and feeling part of the activity.
No one knows how long it will be before we life returns to normal. But with a little imagination, we can help our elderly loved ones stay connected and active without leaving home.
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