As family members grow up and move away, feelings of loneliness and isolation can affect some seniors. However, there are still opportunities for the elderly to maintain strong social bonds. Participating in activities with friends can help your senior loved one prevent these feelings and live a full and active life. Though there are countless opportunities to choose from, here are a few fun and rewarding activities to start with.
Book Clubs
Book clubs provide an opportunity to read a new book and discuss it with friends. Studies have demonstrated the positive benefits reading has for seniors, with one study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finding seniors who read regularly were 2½ times less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. A book club is a great way to encourage your loved one to read more and socialize.
For families living in Phoenix, in-home 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 Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Volunteering
Giving back to the community by volunteering offers your loved one the chance to work with others and even benefit his or her health. A study done by the Experience Corps found seniors who volunteered increased their overall mental and physical wellbeing. There are several organizations dedicated to matching seniors with volunteer opportunities, and volunteering with friends can make the experience more fun and rewarding.
Art Classes
Taking an art class can strengthen the hands, increase fine motor skills, and provide opportunities to learn and socialize. Many business and community centers offer painting, pottery, and drawing classes that can be taken with friends. If your loved one has mild Alzheimer’s, participating in art classes can act as an outlet to help him or her better express emotions.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of elderly home care. You can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide an individualized care plan to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Exercise
Studies have shown people are more likely to exercise when they do it with friends. Exercise can strengthen the heart, lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar levels, prevent depression and anxiety, and strengthen muscles. Your loved one may enjoy taking a daily walk with friends or signing up for an aerobics class at the local gym or community center together. Many seniors also bond with caregivers during exercise and other health-boosting activities.
No matter what group activity your loved one participates in, staying social can help him or her stay positive and live a happier, healthier life. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Phoenix families can rely on. All of our caregivers are bonded, licensed, and insured, there are no hidden fees, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts. Call us today to create a customized in-home care plan.