Creative Ways to Boost a Senior Parent’s Emotional Wellbeing

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Because of various life changes or isolation, seniors are at greater risk for depression and anxiety. Fortunately, you can do your part to boost your elderly loved one’s emotional wellbeing by using these creative strategies. 

Provide Opportunities for Giving

For many seniors, the years after retirement can result in a loss of their sense of purpose. However, your loved one has many skills that can be used to get involved in his or her community. For example, a retired teacher can tutor students after school, or a veteran might enjoy sending cards to troops. Knowing his or her talents can benefit others can revitalize your loved one’s self-esteem. 

Surround Your Loved One with Nature

The power of green spaces is well known for lowering blood pressure, but spending time in nature can also soothe your loved one’s spirit. Encourage your loved one to get outdoors every day, and hire a caregiver to assist him or her if necessary. 

You can also fill your loved one’s home with plants or help him or her hang bird feeders outside the window. Having something beautiful to see each day can be a powerful mood booster.

If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care service 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.

Do Arts & Crafts Together 

Arts and crafts bring joy and a sense of purpose to aging adults, and these hobbies also promote creativity, regardless of how artistic seniors are. Some of the crafts seniors could do include painting pictures, sewing clothing or accessories, and creating holiday objects. 

Doing arts and crafts allows your loved one to express him or herself without worrying about letting others down. Instead, your loved one can be as creative as he or she wants to be, which may boost his or her mood. Consider doing arts and crafts together with your loved one to strengthen the bond the two of you share. 

Send a Laugh a Day

Laughter truly is the best medicine, and you can make sure your loved one gets a daily dose of happiness by sending jokes to him or her each day. If your loved one uses email, send funny memes. Alternatively, you could call your loved one with a story about something humorous the grandkids did. Calendars with jokes for each day and classic joke books are also great ways to tickle your loved one’s funny bone. 

Living independently is important for seniors who want to maintain a high quality of life. For some, this simply means receiving help with tasks that have become more challenging to manage over time. Even when families have the best intentions, they may not have the time to provide the care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. If your loved one needs help for a few hours a day or a few days a week, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of respite care Richmond seniors can depend on.

Celebrate Silly Holidays

The time between birthdays and traditional holidays can be long, yet almost every day of the year is designated for some type of wacky event. Some examples include Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day or Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day. Simply look up what holiday is happening on your preferred date and plan a silly activity around it to celebrate. Your loved one can enjoy a break from the daily routine and also look forward to what you come up with next. 

The right caregiver can help your loved one stay socially stimulated and boost his or her emotional wellbeing. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality elderly home care. Richmond families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. If you need compassionate professional care for your loved one, call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (804) 207-4746.

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