Cozy Up to Winter: Fun Activities for the Homebound Senior

Winter can be a very calm and peaceful season, especially if one does not need to head outdoors in the colder temperatures. However, as peaceful as it can be to sit near the window with a cup of hot cocoa, one can only sit indoors for so long before cabin fever sits in. Seniors especially may experience an increase in cabin fever as many opt to remain indoors during the colder winter months. For some seniors, the colder weather is just too much for their bodies and they choose to avoid the outdoors as much as possible. Other seniors may not have a choice; illness and mobility challenges limit what they can do during the winter season. Instead of feeling down and depressed during the long season of winter, here are a few ideas that will encourage any senior to cozy up to winter and remain engaged, although they may be stuck indoors.

Take a Virtual Vacation
Take your loved one on a virtual vacation by renting or checking out a travel video from your local library. Whether it’s a destination that was on your loved one’s bucket list or a family favorite vacation spot, the homebound senior will enjoy a reprieve from winter. Watching travelogues provides the homebound senior a sense of escape and can help their day pass more quickly.

Cozy Up with a Book
Many libraries offer a Visiting Librarian service for homebound seniors. Check with your local library to see if such a service is available for your loved one. Often, seniors can create a book list online and the books are mailed directly to their home. Then, when a book is returned, the next book is mailed. Many libraries also offer free downloads of eBooks or audiobooks. If your loved one is tech savvy and has access to an iPad or Kindle, create an account so that they can escape the winter through reading.

Make Use of the Crock Pot
Nothing warms the heart and soul more than a hot, home cooked meal. Help your homebound loved one enjoy their favorite winter comfort foods by creating crockpot freezer meals that they can throw in the crockpot throughout the winter months. Find recipes and instructions online and be sure to label the bags with reheating instructions. This can be a fun Saturday afternoon activity that you can do with mom or dad. Call to remind them to thaw out a freezer meal the night before so it’s ready to be cooked in the crock pot in the morning.

Get Crafty
Winter is a great time to explore new hobbies or rediscover old favorites. Purchase a few craft supplies or adult coloring books for your loved one to explore throughout winter. Dig out those old family photos and ask your loved one to arrange them in photo albums or scrapbooks. They’ll enjoy reminiscing over the photos while creating a family treasure album that can be appreciated throughout the years ahead.

Mind the View
Keep the view outside interesting for your homebound loved one. Place bird feeders, bird baths, or other nature attracting objects near windows where your loved one sits throughout the day. There’s something calming about watching nature happen in your own backyard even when you can’t get outdoors.

Get Gaming
From Scrabble to solitaire, and dominoes, to jigsaw puzzles, games are a great way for a homebound senior to stay mentally engaged. Make it a point to have at least one family game night at your homebound loved one’s home during the winter months. Single player games and puzzles are perfect for homebound seniors who live alone. For more active homebound seniors, consider a gaming console, where they can stay physically active without leaving the comfort of home. There are also a host of digital games that homebound seniors can play online, either alone or with others.

Visiting Angels Richmond understands the challenges homebound seniors face. Fortunately, our Angel caregivers are ready and available to serve the homebound senior in your life. Whether you need temporary assistance to survive the winter months, or are looking for a more permanent solution for an improved quality of life, our Companion Care Services are second to none in the Richmond and surrounding areas. We are more than just a social call or friendly visit. Our compassionate Angels work hard to make the time they spend with their clients engaging and genuine. If you think that your loved one could benefit from our relationship based care, please contact us today to set up a free consultation.