Category: Senior Activities

Seniors often find they have more time on their hands as they get older. But this doesn’t mean your elderly loved one has to be bored or settle for a life that’s no longer personally fulfilling. Older adults can wholeheartedly enjoy their golden years if they find ways to participate daily in certain activities that provide some appealing benefits.

Walking with a Companion

Walking is an activity seniors can do at a pace that’s comfortable for them. It can become a form of regular exercise and social interaction if you encourage your loved one to walk with a companion, which could be a friend, family caregiver, grandchild, or cherished pet.

A home caregiver can be an ideal walking partner for your parent. For families living in Oshkosh, 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 Senior Stride Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

Gardening

Planting and tending to a garden are activities that give older adults an excuse to regularly get outside. Plus, gardening is a way to do something productive, especially if your loved one opts to grow fresh veggies and spices. What’s more, the foods he or she grows can be used to make nutritious meals.

Cooking and Baking

In addition to being perfect opportunities for socialization with family members and friends, cooking and baking are activities that can have delicious payoffs for older adults. Stirring, kneading, and other movements associated with these activities can also help with manual dexterity and fine motor skills. Just remember to put necessary items within easy reach for your loved one and offer appropriate assistance with more demanding tasks.

Engaging in everyday activities such as cooking can enhance your loved one’s overall wellbeing, and so can having the help of a compassionate caregiver. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly home care. Senior Stride Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Reading

Reading stimulates the brain and helps seniors stay cognitively sharp. If your loved one has vision issues, audiobooks can provide similar benefits. Another option is to read aloud with your loved one, which may be an especially appealing option if he or she has younger grandchildren to bond with in a fun, engaging way.

Volunteering

Some seniors feel as if they’re no longer needed. One way to give your loved one a sense of purpose is to encourage him or her to volunteer. From local schools, libraries, and churches to hospitals, hospice facilities, and animal shelters, there are many places likely to warmly welcome assistance from senior volunteers.

Working on Puzzles & Playing Board Games

Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, and number-based logic puzzles such as sudoku are among the many types of puzzles that can help seniors challenge their brains. Board games can provide both mental and fine motor stimulation because of the need to physically move pieces after thinking about the strategy behind the moves.

Playing Video Games

There are many types of video games that can help seniors sharpen their multitasking and memory skills. There’s also evidence suggesting playing certain types of video games may increase the brain’s ability to adapt and change (plasticity), which could contribute to a memory boost.

Telling Stories

Encouraging your loved one to share stories about his or her life experiences is a great way to help with memory recall and language skills. Related activities that could inspire storytelling include making family photo albums, collages, and scrapbooks.

Interacting with a home caregiver can also provide a great way to exercise memory and communication skills. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of home care. Oshkosh Senior Stride Home Care is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services. If your loved one needs professional home care, Senior Stride Home Care is here to help. To hire a compassionate, dedicated caregiver, call us at 920-717-1767 today.

Although St. Patrick’s Day is considered a traditional Irish holiday, many people around the world indulge in a variety of festivities designed to commemorate the day. Young and old celebrate the day in different ways. There are many ways seniors can enjoy St. PAtrick’s Day with friends and family.

1. Share St. Patrick’s Story

Older adults often share their life experience, knowledge, and skills with younger generations. Holidays are no exception. Traditions are often passed down from one generation to the next. Seniors might consider telling the story of St. Patrick to their grandchildren. It’s likely that few are aware of who he was and how the celebratory holiday came into existence or how the color green, shamrocks, and leprechauns became part of the heritage.

2. Do a Modified Pub Crawl

Young people often indulge in pub crawls on St. Patrick’s Day. However, older adults, friends, and family members might think about celebrating the day by having a house crawl instead. Participating individuals make Irish-themed dishes, from appetizers to desserts. All then venture to one another’s homes and feast on the homemade delights. The event provides older adults with the chance to go out and spend time with people, which broadens their social networks. Socializing is essential for an older adult’s emotional, mental, and physical health.

Although some elderly people have mobility challenges that limit their ability to venture out on their own, they can still get out of the house and socialize with the help of a professional caregiver. Oshkosh at-home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.

3. Watch a St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Communities large and small with residents of Irish descent often present a St. Patrick’s Day parade. The processions include elaborately decorated floats, Irish-themed music, and costumed participants. Mascots dressed as leprechauns and other characters from Celtic lore delight spectators by throwing candy and gifts into the crowd. The event provides cognitive stimulation and the chance to spend a memorable time with loved ones.

For seniors with health limitations that make joining crowds a challenge, watching the parade on television or online can be fun. Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving live-in care. Oshkosh, WI, Senior Stride Home Care are leaders in the elderly in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.

4. Enjoy Some Irish-Themed Entertainment

Some communities host concerts presented by Gaelic musicians and vocalists that older adults might enjoy. Local pubs might offer live entertainment. Make some green-tinted popcorn, green-tinted sodas, and shamrock cupcakes and stay home to enjoy a selection of films. Spend the evening with your senior parent watching a video recording of Riverdance or any number of Irish-themed movies, such as Darby O’Gill and the Little People, The Quiet Man, The Secret of Kells, and In the Name of the Father. The time spent together provides the chance to make memories, and it might also influence your loved one to share memories of his or her own.

5. Play St. Patrick’s Day Games

Play bingo or Pictionary using St. Patrick’s Day–themed cards. Use green daubers for the bingo cards and green markers to create the Pictionary images. Playing games provides seniors with the chance to spend a pleasant time with loved ones while receiving cognitive stimulation.

Engaging in fun activities all year long helps seniors boost their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, but some may need a bit of assistance to remain active. Living alone at home in the golden years can present a few unique challenges. Trust Oshkosh home care services professionals to help your senior loved one maintain a higher quality of life while he or she manages an illness and performs the daily tasks of living. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call Senior Stride Home Care at 920-717-1767 today.

With Father’s Day quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about spending quality time with your senior dad. He’s one of the most special men in your life, and Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and honor him. Check out the following five exciting activities that can make Father’s Day special and memorable for your dad. 

1. Go Fishing

Spend quality time on Father’s Day in nature catching fish with your dad. Sharing a fishing experience can strengthen your relationship and boost your dad’s self-esteem while mastering outdoor skills. Activities like fishing offer recreational therapy that aids in renewing and utilizing physical and mental skills, thereby boosting overall health. 

Engaging in activities such as fishing enhances cognitive health in aging adults. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Oshkosh, WI, Senior Stride Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

2. Play Board Games 

If your dad is more comfortable staying at home, spend Father’s Day playing board games with him. Playing board games provides the chance to socialize and bond with you while giving his brain a workout. You can also involve the whole family by playing games that require teams, which will give your dad the chance to create a lifetime of memories. 

3. Attend a Sporting Event 

Taking your dad to a baseball or basketball game is an exciting way to bond over your love of sports. When choosing seats, pick spots near the elevators and bathrooms to make sure he doesn’t face any challenges getting around. If your dad has mobility issues, many stadiums offer wheelchairs that can transport him in and out of the stadium. 

Arranging visits to sporting events for a senior with limited mobility can be challenging. If you are the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need respite care, Oshkosh, WI, Senior Stride Home Care is here to help. Our respite caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene. We also provide 24-hour care and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s.

4. Take a Stroll 

Take your dad for a walk through the old neighborhood on Father’s Day. As your dad ages, he may increasingly enjoy reminiscing about the past. This simple yet powerful walk can keep both you and your father healthy mentally as well as physically because it uses both the mind and body. Walking releases endorphins that can reduce anxiety and create a sense of wellbeing to help your dad feel more positive about his life. 

5. Go Golfing 

Going golfing on Father’s Day is a wonderful way to spend quality time together with your dad. Golfing is good for your dad’s overall health, and it can also increase his motion and flexibility. To make it an extra special Father’s Day golf outing, sign up for golf lessons taught by a professional golfer, which many golf courses offer. If your dad has difficulty swinging the driver, take him to a miniature golf course instead. Miniature golf is a fast, fun game, and you still get bonding time on Father’s Day with your dad.

Providing professional in-home care is one of the best ways to show your aging parent you care. Oshkosh home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers. Call Senior Stride Home Care at 920-717-1767 today to learn more about our customized home care plans.

Staying active and social can help aging adults stave off many age-related conditions, including dementia and osteoporosis. Remaining engaged can also help the elderly lower their stress and anxiety levels and prevent isolation and depression. Here are some of the ways people can continue to stay engaged in their golden years. 

Join an Organization 

Older adults can join groups in their community, such as book clubs, dance groups, or art organizations. The purpose of joining these groups is to keep the mind actively engaged. In addition to clubs, seniors can volunteer with local charities and nonprofit organizations. Furthering a cause that enhances the lives of others could potentially boost the emotional and mental health of adults in their senior years. 

Seniors who need regular mental or social stimulation should consider professional in-home care. For families living in Oshkosh, 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 Senior Stride Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

Use Social Media

Modern technology gives seniors the ability to maintain close relationships with their family and friends, despite the distance. Your elderly loved one can use social media to send messages to past coworkers or video chat with his or her grandchildren. Using social media can keep the mind engaged, enhance short-term memory, and boost cognitive health. It is important for seniors to learn new things as they grow older. Since companies are always developing updates and new advancements for their apps, your loved one will need to navigate these changes, keeping his or her brain active. 

Read 

Reading is one of the easiest ways to remain engaged at any age. Older adults can read new books or choose popular novels from the past. The books seniors read can help their brains come alive with emotions and imagery that turns on their senses. The more your loved one reads, the better his or her odds of reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease will be. Reading can also prevent depression due to boredom. 

Develop an Exercise Routine 

Dancing, doing yoga, performing aerobics, hiking, and swimming are some of the exercises and activities seniors can do to stay engaged. Doing moderate exercises each day or a few times per week can enhance mental, physical, and emotional health. Seniors who exercise can lower their risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, obesity, and other health issues. Those who stay mentally and physically engaged in the golden years can enhance their quality of life and maintain their independence for a little while longer.

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

Adopt a Pet

Taking care of a pet is a good way to provide seniors with the stimulation they need to keep their bodies moving, their spirits lifted, and their brains active. You can buy your loved one a dog, cat, bird, fish, or hamster. Make sure to purchase a pet that is low-maintenance so your loved one can enjoy being a pet owner instead of stressing out over the responsibilities. Becoming a pet owner could stimulate your loved one to read up on the pet and learn more about its interests and health needs. Having a pet may also help seniors fight against depression, high blood pressure, and heart conditions.

Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Oshkosh, WI, Senior Stride Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. To learn more about our elderly care services, call us at 920-717-1767 today and speak with one of our qualified Care Managers.

Making crafts is a wonderful way to spend quality time with your senior loved ones this Valentine’s Day in Oshkosh. Home care experts suggest 5 crafts to stimulate different regions of your loved one’s brain and enhance his or her motor skills and dexterity.

1. Heart Sachets

Cut heart shapes from red, pink, and white felt. Using contrasting embroidery thread, your loved one can sew symbols on one side of the felt hearts. Sew two hearts together, leaving a small area open, and fill the hearts with potpourri, scented wax, or any other fragrant substance. Sew the hearts closed and place around the home.

2. Framed Love U

Use construction paper or poster board for the background of the picture. Cut out smaller contrasting hearts from construction paper and attach the hearts to the background in rows. Create a large letter “u,” attach the letter to the center of the picture, and frame the picture.

3. Valentine’s Day Cookies

Using your favorite sugar cookie recipe, cut out heart shapes and bake. You and your loved one can then decorate the cookies with colored frosting, decorative icing, and candies.

4. Heart Pins

Gather red pipe cleaners, red three-sided beads, and white lace. Thread the beads and lace onto each pipe cleaner, alternating one bead followed by a fold of lace, then combine the ends of the pipe cleaner and shape into a heart. Attach a small safety pin to the back and a red ribbon to the front of the heart pin.

5. Hugs and Kisses Treat Jars

The supplies you need for this craft include canning jars with lids, red and white gingham, red, pink, and white felt, and red ribbon. Create a large heart to attach to the front of the jar, then make two smaller hearts and attach to the large heart. Embellish with a contrasting colored banner boasting “XOXO” and attach a small red bow to the top of the heart. Take apart the jar lid and replace the base with a piece of gingham fabric. Fill the jar with conversation hearts, red and silver chocolate kisses, or other holiday-themed candies.

Crafting is often advised for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or any other cognitive impairment. If your senior loved one experiences cognitive decline, hiring professional caregivers can prove helpful. At Senior Stride Home Care, our respite and live-in caregivers encourage and assist seniors in all creative tasks to stimulate the mind and slow down cognitive decline. To learn more about our reliable senior care plans and dementia caregivers in Oshkosh, get in touch with one of our knowledgeable Care Managers today at 920-717-1767.