Engaging in hobbies can be just as important for your senior loved one’s health as the foods he or she eats. Participating in healthy activities could enhance your loved one’s cognitive abilities and reduce the risk of depression. Here are a few healthy hobbies your loved one should consider.
1. Gardening
Getting out and enjoying the sunshine can provide a good source of vitamin D, which increases balance and flexibility. While working in the garden, your loved one will need to use his or her hands to operate the tools and plant the flowers, vegetables, fruits, and other items, which increases dexterity. Growing healthy items in the garden provides your loved one with good food choices that reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other health issues.
Seniors who need help gardening or performing other activities should consider professional in-home care. Prescott senior care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
2. Doing Yoga
If your loved one doesn’t like to exercise, encourage him or her to take up yoga as a hobby. Yoga is a fun form of exercise that relaxes the mind while providing healthy breathing techniques that can boost respiratory function. Taking up yoga could prevent your loved one from being bored and depressed, and the activities and movement involved might boost his or her mental and emotional health.
3. Engaging in Creative Arts
Painting, taking theater, singing with a band, and writing novels or memoirs are some creative hobbies your loved one can try. Creative arts stimulate the brain and reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Many creative arts programs and activities may be available to your loved one at a discounted rate, or even for free.
Engaging in creative activities with family members and friends is just one of the many ways seniors can receive social stimulation. For families living in Prescott, Arizona, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
4. Scrapbooking
Scrapbooking is a fun hobby that can keep your loved one’s brain active and engaged. The mental stimulation from scrapbooking could reduce the risk of depression and boredom. Encourage your loved one to sign up for a local scrapbooking class to learn more about this hobby. Your loved one will discover new trends and ideas to use when putting together a scrapbook for him or herself. Creating a scrapbook can also stir memories.
5. Joining Senior Sports Leagues
Check with local leagues to see if they have sports teams your loved one would be interested in joining, such as bowling, swimming, and golf. Many organizations have leagues that take place year-round, while other groups only offer spring and summer leagues. Joining a senior sports league can provide your loved one with regular exercise and social interaction, which could boost his or her physical and mental health.
6. Taking Cooking Classes
Seniors who love to bake or learn new recipes should consider taking up cooking classes. Cooking is a fun way to learn new recipes while staying socially engaged. When cooking, your loved one can enhance his or her thinking skills, hand-eye coordination, and mood.
Older adults may need help making healthy lifestyle choices. If your loved one needs help maintaining healthy habits and accomplishing daily tasks, a Prescott caregiver from Home Care Assistance can help. Our caregivers are expertly trained to provide mental and social stimulation, assist with exercise, prepare nutritious meals, and much more. To schedule a free in-home consultation, call us at 928-325-2686 today.
Or visit us online @ www.homecareassistanceprescott.com
