As parents grow older and start to lose some of their independence, it becomes more important to spend time with them. Finding fun activities to do with seniors isn’t always easy, but whether your parents are living with you or have home care at their house, they need to have some fun every week.
But what activities are enjoyable for your elderly parents? Ask them what they want to do and suggest some ideas for things you can do together. To get started, consider these fun activities your aging loved ones will enjoy. Contact us online or call us at 954-908-5677 to learn more about our services and how we can help seniors stay active.
For Loved Ones with Limited Mobility:
1. Play Board Games and Cards
For elderly parents with less mobility and energy, learning new card or board games is a great way to keep the mind sharp and have fun with family. You can find a game that’s new to both of you and learn it together OR teach one another a personal favorite.
It’s always great to enjoy a well-loved game from the past, too!
Fun Games to Play with Senior Citizens:
- Scrabble
- Chess
- Trivial Pursuit
- Mahjong
- Dominos
- Poker
- Backgammon
- Pinochle
- Bridge
- Rummy
- Chinese Checkers
- Go-Fish
- Monopoly
- Bingo
- Yahtzee
- Puzzles
2. Read Books Together
It may be difficult to find a lot of activities you can share with your aging parents, especially if they have low mobility. But one thing you can share is the gift of reading books together.
You can pick out a book that interests you and assign chapters for each week. At the end of the week, you’ll meet and discuss the book and your thoughts on what you’ve read. This is a great way to keep your parents’ minds going while also starting a fun activity that can be shared.
3. Pamper them!
Just because your loved one is older now doesn’t mean they’ve grown out of their appreciation for being pampered. We’re not just talking about girls either! Give your loved one a massage or treat them to a professional massage to relieve any built-up tension that may be bothering them. Even rubbing some nice lotion on their hands, legs, or feet would probably make them very relaxed.
A manicure and pedicure are also always a great idea! Whether you bring over your favorite colors or just do a little nail grooming and foot massage for the males, looking and feeling your best never goes out of style.
4. Enjoy Movies and TV shows
Watching a TV series of movies together can be a fun way to bond and get into the plotline, characters, etc.
It also gives you and your loved one something to look forward to if you have a regular routine of watching something together or frequently come over to watch a movie.
If you or your elder companion aren’t huge on movies or TV, then try watching a documentary on a topic they find interesting. There are all sorts of documentaries out there – From nature and travel to history and religion. There are food documentaries, too, which can give you guys inspiration to cook something together or try a new cuisine either of you haven’t tried before.
5. Baking and Cooking Together
Another great hands-on activity to do with aging loved ones is baking or cooking. You can even use some of the vegetables in your new garden to cook together!
If there’s a special occasion coming up such as a birthday or holiday, baking is a great way to get your loved one excited and involved. Not only do you get the joy of baking, but you can eat delicious treats when it’s all done.
For Loved Ones with Good Mobility:
1. Gardening
Gardening is a great way to get your parents outdoors. It doesn’t require very much physical activity, so it’s something they can enjoy without pushing themselves too hard.
If they need help planting or bending over, you’ll be there to make it easy on them. Gardening is the perfect way to get them outdoors and working on something that will grow and progress over time.
2. Go to a Park
Making a habit of going for walks in a park every morning or evening is not only great for your parents’ health but also enjoyable as well.
If your parents are stuck inside for most of the day, it’s important to get some time moving out in nature. Even a simple trip to the park can make a huge difference in their attitude and mood each day.
3. Try a New Restaurant
Take your loved one to their favorite restaurant, show them a restaurant they haven’t been to before, or ask them if they recommend anywhere you haven’t been. Sharing a meal together is something special that is often taken for granted in our day and age. Not hungry? Go for a milkshake!
4. Attend a Performance, Play, or Concert
There are tons of performances, concerts, and live theatre happening month in your local area, many of which will appeal to you and your loved one. You can even head to the movies to get you guys out of the house if there isn’t much that interests you in the near future.
Your Elderly Parents Deserve the Best
If you want to do what you can to improve your elderly parents’ quality of life, try these five fun activities out. Your parents will become more active and excited about each day, and you’ll have something special to share together.
Contact us today for more activities to do with seniors, and to learn more about our Sunrise in home care and care throughout the nearby areas!