Keeping Seniors Engaged

As parents and grandparents’ age beyond retirement, there is a chance that their children and grandchildren’s lives become more challenged. With failing eyesight, hearing, memory, or mobility, one of the hardest things to do is to keep seniors active outside of doctor appointments and trips to the pharmacy. 

Some seniors are able to live in assisted living facilities or nursing homes where there are recreation therapists or ongoing activities every day that keep them busy. Other seniors live in their home or apartment alone, or with their children, and that is when the responsibly tables turn. Our parent or grandparent whom we were once dependent on is now dependent on us. 

On top of the responsibility of making sure bills are paid, medications were taken, appointments were set, food was bought, there also comes a responsibility to make sure the senior is engaged, active and happy. Although we cannot become magicians and quit our jobs to be a personal entertainer 40 hours a week, we can get creative for a specific amount of time in hopes to add life to their existence. Here are four ideas I use daily with my seniors. 

Play Music. Sing Loud. Music truly is the universal language. Listening to old favorites can enhance mood levels and raise spirits. Music can also help with daily living activities, It calms anxiety, it enhances memory, and it is readily available on your cell phone. Try and involve music as much as you can when dealing with aging seniors. YouTube has thousands of classic songs with the lyrics on the screen. Sing along with the words, sing along with your senior and sing loud. They will love it.

Go To A Show. Long Island is filled with creativity. There are numerous stage productions that anyone would love to see. Senior discounts are also available when purchasing tickets. Some of my favorite theatres are The Gateway in Bellport, Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, and studio Theater in Lindenhurst. There are so many more, research and enjoy. Who doesn’t love a live performance? 
Get Active. If your senior can get out, try and look into a gym membership. SilverSneakers is a FREE fitness program provided by dozens of insurance plans for people over the age of 65. Most gyms take it. Check their insurance plans and get involved. If you cannot get to the gym, walking is always a healthy choice, or chair aerobics. YouTube has a plethora or chair aerobics videos that are easy, fun, and get the blood moving. Just Google  “senior chair Zumba” and watch what pops up. Get fit. You may even get hooked yourself. 

Touch. Pamper you senior with a manicure or a hand massage. Even if arthritis is bad, it will feel so good. This simple act of kindness can increase circulation, ease stress and relieve aches and pains. A basic human need the elderly often go without is touch.  So go ahead and touch, bring back some emotion to those old bones and muscles. Give a hand or foot massage, rub their back or temples,, and hug! (Aged skin is thin and bruises easily, any massage administered to the elderly must be gentle.)