12 Things to Do with Elderly Loved Ones
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As your loved ones get older, their mobility and energy levels often change, so they may no longer be up for your favorite activities like long days at hot amusement parks or Olympic-size malls. However, there are plenty of other less strenuous ways you can pass the time together. Here are 12 ideas for things to do with grandma, grandpa, or any elderly loved ones:
Bake or cook together.
Baking cookies with grandma is a classic activity for a reason. Baking and cooking together and then enjoying the treats afterwards is the perfect thing to do with your elderly loved one. Choose a family recipe if you are feeling nostalgic, or a new one if you are feeling experimental.
Try a new restaurant.
If you don’t feel up to cooking, but still love to eat food together, takinge your loved one out to a restaurant is another delicious and fun way to spend time together. If they are on a specialized diet, make sure to take them somewhere that has menu options that they can eat so they don’t leave with an upset stomach.
Visit a park.
If your older loved one is up for an outing, going to a park is a great way to get them out of the house and spend time together. Make sure to check the weather before you go and dress for the temperature. Remember that older people get cold more easily, so they might need more layers than you. Check out our easy to put on clothing for the elderly .
Have a picnic.
Speaking of parks, having a picnic or tea party outside is a fantastic way to elevate your outdoor activities. Bring your own food to cut down on costs, or buy a pre-selected picnic spread at a local market to cut down on the effort. As with the restaurant, make sure that the food complies with any dietary restrictions that your older loved one has to comply with.
Garden outside or tend to indoor plants.
Many older adults love to garden or tend to indoor plants, but weeding and transplanting large plants can be hard for them to do alone so they will surely appreciate some help. Be sure to wear work clothing that you don’t mind getting dirt or fertilizer on.
Play board or card games.
Playing a board or card game is always a fun way to pass the time. Choose a familiar favorite activity or go with a new game if you are both up for a challenge. If you want something a little less competitive, try putting together a jigsaw puzzle or work a crossword together.
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Arts & Crafts
Engaging in arts and crafts with your loved one encourages creativity and dexterity. Choose projects that suit their interests and abilities, like painting, sewing, knitting, or scrapbooking. Consider adaptive tools if mobility is an issue, ensuring the crafting process is enjoyable.
Read books or listen to audiobooks.
If you are both big readers, offer to read books or short stories out loud to each other. If neither of you enjoy reading out loud for long periods of time, then download an audiobook or a serial narrative podcast so you get a similar experience without the work.
Watch movies and TV.
If you prefer watching content to reading, you can’t go wrong with putting on a favorite TV show or movie to watch together. You can also put it on in the background as you do other activities on this list, such as playing a game or putting together a puzzle.
Listen to music.
Like movies and TV, this fun activity can stand on its own or be done in the background during something else. Put on a favorite album and have a listening party together — or if they feel up for it, go see a concert together.
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Visit a museum or art gallery.
Many museums, galleries and other cultural institutions offer discounted admission for seniors, making this an affordable outing for you and your loved one. Do note that sometimes senior admission is only available on certain days or at certain times, so if you’re trying to get that discount for your loved one, always confirm with the museum before making your plans.
Research family history.
How much do you know about your great-grandparents, much less the generations before them? Researching family history is the perfect way to spend time with your loved one while learning more about your lineage. Delve deep into genealogy websites, or get the little grandkids involved by making a family tree as a memento of your special day. For more family fun ideas, take some inspiration from our list of mother and daughter activities.
What Are Some Activities for Seniors With Disabilities?
If your loved one’s options for activities are limited by a disability, there are still fun and engaging ways to bond and pass time. Many options from our list are suitable activities for people with disabilities, from indoor pastimes like board games, books, and music to outdoor choices like walks and picnics. Other activities can be adjusted to suit the needs of different physical limitations – adaptive sports like adaptive golf and swimming are great physical activity options, while arts and crafts work to stimulate creativity. For more daring outings, look into opportunities to travel for people with disabilities.
Dressing your loved one in adaptive clothing makes it easy to get them ready for any outing or activity, especially if they have a disability. Shop Silverts for senior clothing for both men and women, including hospital socks and diabetic slippers , and get free shipping on your U.S. order.
Source:
National Library of Medicine, The effects of a combined physical activity, recreation, and art and craft program on ADL, cognition, and depression in the elderly. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5430285/. Accessed on July 31, 2024
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