The golden years are a time when older adults can find new hobbies that stimulate their minds and bodies. For those living with Parkinson’s disease, finding the right hobbies means looking for ones that are safe and provide the right level of stimulation to preserve their abilities. Below are some of the best hobbies seniors with Parkinson’s can experiment with to find new fun activities to add to their daily routines.
Playing Cards or Video Games
Card games and video games stimulate brain functions that exercise reflexes and problem-solving abilities. Cards are lightweight and easy for seniors to hold when they have muscle weakness. Video games can also be selected based on each senior’s abilities. For instance, a senior with tremors can still operate a motion-activated controller to play a variety of games.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable homecare. Families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
Volunteering Part-Time
Seniors need to feel a sense of purpose, and volunteering provides a low-stress way to give back to the community. Help your loved one look for a position that fits his or her abilities. For instance, making phone calls for an organization doesn’t require standing for long periods. Seniors with Parkinson’s disease can provide comfort to animals in shelters, rock babies in hospital nurseries, and assist with office tasks in a variety of environments.
Learning to Paint
Creative activities stimulate the parts of the brain responsible for memory and other executive functioning skills. Painting is one activity that also enhances fine motor skills, since holding a brush to make small strokes requires hand and arm dexterity. Since painting can be adjusted to fit your loved one’s abilities at each stage of the disease, this is an activity he or she can continue to enjoy for a long time.
Taking Ballroom Dance Lessons
Ballroom dancing is a low-impact form of exercise that also gives seniors the opportunity to enjoy a little socializing. Dancing builds leg strength and increases balance, which can reduce instances of freezing and make your loved one less likely to fall if he or she begins to trip. In addition, learning new dance steps can strengthen cognitive abilities.
Mobility issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease can make caring for aging adults increasingly challenging. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Amarillo, TX, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
Growing a Garden
A garden can be as simple as a few pots on a windowsill, or it can be a large part of your loved one’s backyard. Being able to modify this hobby so it’s manageable for your loved one is a major benefit. Your parent can increase joint flexibility by bending and reaching to care for the plants. Your loved one can also fill the garden with nutritious vegetables and fruits, providing motivation to eat on days when he or she has difficulty chewing or swallowing. For example, strawberries are fairly easy to grow, and they’re a great fruit to add to nutritious smoothies.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, an Amarillo senior care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. Home Care Assistance will work with you to customize a care plan that’s just right for your loved one’s needs. Call us today at (806) 803-9991 to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.