One of the problems that the children of seniors face is how to make sure that their senior parents are getting enough social interaction. Life today is busier than ever, and between work, raising kids, and doing endless chores and errands you may not be able to spend as much time with your senior parent as you or they would like.
Companion care at home can help provide the vital social connection that your senior parent needs to stay healthy. For seniors who are living alone, spending time with others is essential to their health. According to experts, if your senior parent isn’t getting enough conversation or interaction with others they can develop serious physical and emotional health problems.
Companion care at home gives your senior parent daily visits from a care provider they know and trust to look forward to. Knowing that someone is coming over to see them, share meals, do activities, and share conversations gives your senior parent a reason to get out of bed. And a reason to look forward to tomorrow.
Companion care at home includes activities like these to keep your senior parent engaged, interested, and healthy at home:
Puzzles and Brain Games
Puzzles are more than just entertainment for seniors, they’re also great exercises for the mind. Working on a jigsaw puzzle, crossword, or word search helps keep memory and problem-solving skills strong.
A senior companion can sit down and work side by side with your parent doing puzzles a social activity rather than a solitary one. Even simple card games or trivia questions can spark laughter and conversation while giving the brain a workout.
Exploring New Hobbies
It’s never too late to try something new. A companion can introduce your parent to hobbies like painting, knitting, drawing, or even simple crafts. These activities encourage creativity and give a sense of accomplishment.
Hobbies also provide something to look forward to each day. Having a companion nearby makes it easier to stick with new skills, and it gives your parent a supportive partner to share the learning process with. Your senior parent may enjoy projects like making blankets for animal shelters, or making their own handmade holiday cards to send to friends and family members.
Listening to Music and Reminiscing
Music has a powerful way of lifting moods and sparking memories. Companion care at home can play your parent’s favorite songs, sing along, or even explore new genres together. Listening sessions can turn into moments of storytelling, where your parent recalls the memories tied to certain songs. Listening to music can reduce stress, ease anxiety, and make your senior parent’s home feel warm and lively.
Cooking or Baking Together
Meals are about sharing companionship as well as about sharing food. A companion can turn cooking or baking into an activity rather than just a chore. They can help your parent plan recipes, measure ingredients, and prepare a dish together.
Whether it’s baking cookies, trying a new soup, or making a family recipe, cooking brings joy and provides sensory stimulation through smells, tastes, and textures. Sharing the finished meal can give your senior parent a sense of accomplishment as well as the satisfaction of making a delicious meal.
Reading and Storytelling
Books, magazines, or even short articles can open the door to engaging discussions. A companion might read aloud to your parent, or they can take turns reading and talking about what they’ve learned.
If your parent enjoys telling stories from their own life, the companion can encourage them to share and even help write down those memories. Reading and storytelling spark imagination and strengthen connections between people.
If you or an aging loved one is considering companion care at home in Walnut Creek, CA, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Walnut Creek. (925) 203-3039.
