20 Great Things to Help Keep Seniors Interested and Connected
20 Great Things to Help Keep Seniors Interested and Connected
Once the finances and medical issues have been addressed and are under control, a challenge families, friends, and trustees often face as caregivers is keeping elderly friends and relatives interested and involved with the world around them. At Eddy & Schein In-Home Administrators for Seniors, we have developed 20 ideas which you may find useful. Many grew out of our work with "Marge" who has no family and suffers from memory loss. For the Love of Animals Marge suddenly came alive in her wheelchair when she saw a dog on the street. She leaned forward to chat with her new friend. Seeing the joy in her eyes, we encouraged her aide to take Marge to the dog run in the park regularly. When the weather gets cold, we have a friend with a dog visit Marge in her home.
The Golden Age of Movies Marge's eyesight was getting worse and corrective lenses were not working, so we bought her a large flat screen TV and, knowing her love of animals, signed up for The Animal Channel on cable. One day, the aide turned to the classic movie channel and Marge got truly engaged. She knew all the actors and actresses and reminisced about seeing the movie with her mother. An occasional newscast mixed in with classic movies and shows about animals are now standard TV fare - no soap operas in her house!
College Days In sorting through Marge's mail, we found news from Duke University, so we asked Marge about her college years and she became animated. We bought her a Duke cap which she wears whenever she goes out, and sometimes even at home.
Daily Living Marge is included in as much decision-making as possible. The aide pushes Marge's wheelchair in the grocery store and asks Marge what food items she wants. Marge carries them in the basket on her lap. Together the aide and Marge shop for clothes which will be tried on at home. When new fixtures were needed for the bathroom and kitchen, Marge helped select them even though she thought she was doing it for someone else. There are weekly visits to accessible restaurants for lunch with her aide and visitors.
Art Therapy and Outings The apartment is full of pastel drawings done by Marge, so we bought her some supplies and hired an art therapist to work with her. Marge did not like the therapist, but it was worth trying. When we find someone else, we will try it again.
We have taken Marge to the Botanical Garden, the Bronx Zoo, and the Museum of Modern Art - all with great success.
Physical Activity Marge has a physical therapist and an occupational therapist come to her home, each once a week - all so important to her physical well-being, but also helpful in stimulating her mind. Because Marge has no family and Rebecca Eddy is one of the two powers of Attorney, Eddy & Schein has been more involved in Marge's care than Daily Money Managers usually are.
A Free Tip Sheet - If you would like some more ideas, scroll down for 20 Great Things toHelp Keep Seniors Connected.
20 Great Things to Help Keep Seniors Connected
Identify the activities a senior likes and create adaptive means to make them happen. If aides are involved, look for ones who are open to participating in the chosen activities.
Find ways to get out and get engaged a walk to the park, a wheelchair ride to visit the local pet shop or dog run, clothes shopping (even if items cannot be tried on in the store).
Locate a senior center or Y that has classes or activities for senior citizens. Make sure there is a good transportation system to get there.
If the senior has sufficient assistance, consider adopting a small dog or cat from a shelter. Have a back-up plan for the pet if the senior is no longer able to care for him or her.
Enroll in an art class or arrange for an art therapist to come into the home and give some drawing lessons or art appreciation classes.
Order large-print newspapers for a person with diminished eyesight, or get a magnifying glass or electronic reader for enhanced vision. E-books like Kindle or Nook work for some and the print can be increased substantially. Books on tape are another alternative as long as the machine is easy to use or an aide can help.
Cook together and adapt to the senior's circumstances. If in a wheelchair, let him or her sit at a table and do certain tasks. Encourage the senior to give cooking tips or share favorite recipes.
Purchase concert, opera, or theater tickets. Get two tickets, or more, so that a friend and/or aide may go. Think about sitting up close if eyesight or hearing is a problem. Call ahead to arrange for storage of walker or wheelchair during the performance.
Get a local music student to come to the home and play for the senior and friends.
Find a vintage movie theater and go to see an old movie together. If that's not possible, make sure there is access to movie channels on TV.
Get a large flat screen TV so it is easier to see and be involved in shows and movies. There are amplifier devices that can be purchased so the sound is not too loud for others in the room.
If the senior has difficulty going out, arrange for a physical therapist who specializes in the elderly to come to the home each week.
Involve the senior in the daily running of the household. Take him or her to the grocery story to pick out favorite food and supplies. Small trips with a grocery basket held on the lap while someone pushes the wheelchair works well.
Make sure the senior gets to family gatherings. This may involve special car service plans for trips outside of town as an alternative to previous modes of transportation.
Be sure to involve the senior in conversations even if you have to speak a little loudly. If a senior resists getting a hearing aid, suggest a small easily held amplifier with a microphone attached to headphones (there are lots of headphone varieties). This can make conversations much easier for both parties.
Check on local car services and set up an account so that the senior has easy transportation around town and doesn't have to worry about having cash each time.
Look for special exhibits at museums that you could both go to. Almost all museums can be accessed with a wheelchair, if necessary. Don't forget the Botanical Garden, Zoo, and Aquarium.
Talk to the elderly person about life as a child growing up. It's amazing the first-hand knowledge of history he or she will have. It will be a time of exploration for both of you.
Look at old photographs together. Reminisce.
Identify important memories and find representative symbols (like a hat or sweater with a favorite school logo) that will bring ongoing pleasure.
Go out to a local restaurant that is accessible. If the senior has an aide, this is a nice way to show appreciation to the aide as well, or a time to give the aide a chance to be alone.
Eddy & Schein In-Home Administrators for Seniors (www.eddyandschein.com) manages and coordinates personal, financial, legal, and health insurance matters for seniors and othersright in the individual's own residence. Eddy & Schein works almost exclusively with the elderly because they understand their circumstances, their needs, and how to help them manage their tasks. E&S has the skill sets to coordinate complex administrative mattersand the patience to help seniors perform these tasks with dignity.
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