When providing senior care for an aging family member, you strive to make sure all their needs are being met. Aside from managing doctor’s appointments, following a medication schedule, and cooking meals, this includes keeping them busy. Activity improves their quality of life and helps maintain their physical and mental health. It can be challenging to find activities that pique their interest, so here are a few ideas to get you both started.

How to Keep Seniors Occupied in the Summer

1. Sign Up for Local Classes

Typically, local recreation centers will have various programs available for elderly community members. Swimming and water aerobics are especially beneficial since they’re easy on the joints and promote bone density. Also, consider signing your loved one up for low-impact exercise classes, yoga, dance, or tai chi.

2. Encourage a New Hobby

Gardening is a fantastic activity for the warmer months; it’s not strenuous and provides the chance to get fresh air. Joining a gardening club is an excellent way to learn which plants grow best in your area. If they don’t have space for a garden, your loved one can still hone their green thumb by visiting a community garden or planting a container herb garden on the windowsill. Another option is crafting classes. Often, craft shops offer knitting, sewing, and painting classes to the public.

3. Stimulate the Brain

Keeping the brain active is just as important as the body. Have mind-stimulating senior care activities readily available that your loved one can partake in for at least 30 minutes a day. These may include reading a book, assembling puzzles, listening to music, or being artistic. Playing board games will also arouse the brain while simultaneously sparking socialization.

4. Schedule Weekly Outings

Take turns with other family members, friends, and neighbors accompanying your loved one on a weekly outing. This can be as simple as going on a nature walk, checking books out of the library, or visiting a museum. Consider attending a cultural event or local festival held during the summer. Volunteering is also an excellent way for seniors to socialize and gain a feeling of purpose.

For more recommendations on senior care, reach out to The Vineyards at Concord, one of the top assisted living facilities in Frankfort, OH. They understand how important it is to remain active throughout all stages of life and offer their residents a wide range of physical, mental, and social opportunities. Families have been entrusting them to provide high-quality senior care since 1986. Call (740) 998-4777 to speak with a staff member or visit them online for more information about their services.