Staying physically, mentally, and emotionally stimulated is essential for seniors with Parkinson’s disease, as it can alleviate symptoms associated with the disease and increase their quality of life. Below you’ll find some fun and beneficial activities for your aging loved one to try.
1. Playing Word Games
Puzzles and word association games are enjoyable activities for seniors with Parkinson’s because they provide cognitive stimulation. Searching for the words enhances reasoning, semantic memory, and language abilities. You can choose games that match pictures with words or activities that allow your loved one to match a word with an associated phrase. Fun activities such as word games can restore impaired brain function and boost mood in aging adults with Parkinson’s disease.
2. Exercising
Exercising is vital for seniors with Parkinson’s because it helps them maintain balance and mobility, which leads to more independence. Even as the disease progresses, exercises such as jogging, yoga, and aerobics can enhance wellbeing. Walking and jogging can assist with gait and strengthen the muscles. Taking up dancing can also increase walking speed and balance. The more your loved one exercises after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, the more he or she can alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety, which lowers the risk of depression, a common issue among older adults living with Parkinson’s disease.
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 at-home care. Families trust Assisting Hands Home Care 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.
3. Painting
Even though painting doesn’t typically involve a lot of movement, it allows seniors to express themselves and promotes wellbeing. However, some of the techniques used when painting can help seniors with Parkinson’s maintain their fine motor skills. Find art groups and instructors within the community who encourage seniors to enroll. If your parent prefers to paint alone, you can purchase supplies for him or her to use while painting within the comfort of home.
Mobility issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease can make caring for aging adults increasingly challenging. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Potomac, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
4. Cooking
Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s doesn’t prevent your loved one from cooking. The activity could strengthen your loved one’s coordination and stimulate his or her mind. Your loved one will be able to cook his or her own meals, ensuring he or she prepares nutritious foods.
Following a healthy diet can keep seniors with Parkinson’s hydrated and energized. Eating vegetables and fruits can ease various symptoms associated with the disease, including low blood pressure and constipation. Cooking with you and other family members could boost your loved one’s mood and provide a sense of purpose.
5. Gardening
Although physical activities are important for aging adults with Parkinson’s, family caregivers should find gentle hobbies for them to do, such as gardening. Planting flowers, foods, spices, and other items in the garden can help your loved one stay healthy and take his or her mind off the disease and stressful situations. As the disease progresses, you may need to make some changes to simplify the activity, such as adding a bench in the garden that allows your loved one to sit while working instead of kneeling.
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 senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Potomac families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. To learn more about our premier in-home care plans, call us today.
