Looking for fun and creative ways to keep your elderly parents or grandparents active and engaged during their golden years? Here are seven great tips to help seniors stay healthy, active, and social.
1. Plan a Regular Outing: Schedule a recurring get-together with your favorite senior, something they can look forward to each week. Whether it’s a lunch date, a trip to the botanical gardens, a movie, or a visit to the farmer’s market, having a weekly outing helps them stay active and get out of the house regularly.
2. Explore Volunteer Opportunities: Help your senior family member find local volunteer activities that match their interests and keep them active. Websites like VolunteerMatch offer tools to find opportunities based on location and preferences. If Grandma enjoys gardening, she could volunteer at a community garden. If your aging dad loves performances, he could volunteer at the local theater.
3. Create a Bucket List: Encourage your older relatives to think outside the box and come up with a list of things they’d like to do during retirement. Whether it’s learning a new skill like photography or starting a blog, creating a bucket list can boost their confidence and motivate them to try new experiences.
4. Engage with Community Activities: If your elderly loved one lives independently, help them find community events and activities they might enjoy. Check out senior centers, YMCA classes, the Chamber of Commerce for local events, Meetup groups, and local newspapers for community calendars.
5. Organize Transportation Support: Many seniors struggle with mobility, especially if they can no longer drive. To help them get around, organize a group of volunteers, including family and community members, who can assist with transportation. Websites like SignUp.com make it easy to organize calendars for rides to the grocery store, pharmacy, or even just a coffee outing.
6. Introduce Them to the Online World: Getting online can open up social opportunities for seniors. Help them set up a free Skype account to stay in touch with faraway friends and family. Opening a Facebook account can also connect them with old friends, family, and give them access to photos of grandkids, messaging, and games.
7. Support Their Health Needs: Staying active goes hand in hand with staying healthy. Understanding your loved one’s specific health needs will help you provide the best support. For instance, if Grandpa uses a wheelchair, plan visits to accessible venues. If Grandma has diabetes, ensure her blood sugar levels are managed during visits. By supporting their health, seniors will feel more confident and willing to engage in activities.
These steps can help make your senior loved ones feel connected, healthy, and excited about life.