Making Life Fun for Encino Seniors

“There’s nothing to do!”

How many times have you heard this? Families caring for an elderly parent or other senior in the Encino area know that one of the biggest barriers to their loved one’s happiness is a lack of meaningful activity.

Staying in their home is a top priority for many elders, but avoiding the drawbacks of loneliness and boredom can be tough. Especially when the weather makes it impractical to go out, indoor activities that keep them busy and connected are essential to your loved one’s well-being.

Indoor Exercise

There’s no disputing the benefits of regular exercise. It’s so important for older folks to keep moving, but even a simple walk outside can sometimes be too much.

One good way to work a basic exercise program into your senior’s daily routine is to encourage stretching during TV time. Sitting in front of the television for hours isn’t very constructive, so when there is something they want to watch, why not spend that time with some easy exercises?

Another useful habit is “indoor laps.” Help them devise a route around the house or apartment, then walk it with them, to make sure there are no tripping hazards. Keeping track of laps can be a fun way to monitor progress, and maintain reasonable fitness goals.

And for those who are a bit more active, how about a Nintendo Wii? Using Wii Fit and Wii Sports is a good way to create fun physical activities for able-bodied oldsters.

This kind of activity has the added benefit of improving balance and mobility, which could help your loved one stay in their home longer.

Group Activities

There are several ways for seniors to plug in with others:

Book clubs. One popular way to get together with others is to share recent reading.
Knitting or quilting circles. Why not join a group dedicated to a favorite craft?
Classes. From fitness groups to art classes or lectures, there are several places in zip code 91316 to meet and share interests with other like-minded seniors. 

The social aspect of this type of activity is just as important as the subject of the group. And the occasional outing, with assisted care, won’t be too much of a strain.

Interactive Fun

Games and stories are another neat way to connect. 

Depending on how comfortable your senior is with today’s interactive technologies, there may be several options to help them find communities that share their interests. Posting videos, writing about life experiences, or just playing Words With Friends can fill the hours with purposeful activities.

Companion Care: Human Contact Is a Basic Need

The main thing to remember is that love and belonging are essential human needs. It’s not enough to “give them something to do”... your loved one wants and needs human contact.

For busy families, it can be hard to arrange regular visits. Bringing the grandkids -- or maybe a well-behaved pet! -- to spend time is wonderful, and stopping in frequently, even just to say hi, is great. But it isn’t always enough.

That’s why so many concerned families use companion care from Visiting Angels. With our trained in-home caregiver, your loved one will have someone to help them stay busy and engaged.

Call us at 818-287-6101 to start the conversation today—there’s no charge for your complimentary assessment!