Whether a loved one is in an aged care facility or still at home, the pressures of the basic services that need to occur, and the structure of their days, can make it tricky to enjoy quality one on one time with them. The struggle of worrying about your loved one but not wanting that to cloud the way you treat them and their enjoyment of your visit is one that many people can attest to. Being able to have a few gentle leisure activities can be a way to approach visiting and loving your loved one. Regardless of your loved one’s degree of mobility, it is important to note that spending time with them, training your attention on them and providing opportunities for social interaction is what beautifully matters. Following are some day to day activities to do with a senior loved one.
- Game On
Pick a game that you and your loved one have been or are now interested in and start learning or improving on your skills together. You don’t need to limit yourself to just card games, board games now boast an unimaginable range of options, you might like to pick out something that makes you and your loved one laugh! Watch Ya Mouth
Word games like boggle, scrabble and others are great ways to gently challenge yourself and help the mind stretch its muscles. Yet there’s no need to limit yourself to tangible games, have a browse online to see if there are any fun games that would pique you and the interest of your loved ones. From monkeys scampering after bananas falling from the top of the screen to chopping fruit up, there’s something for everybody. Check out the top games on your phone app store if you would like some inspiration.
- Baking Up A Storm
While the kitchen facilities may be limited there are now tons of recipes that have been ‘microwave-ified’ so as to allow the cooking process to happen in just the microwave. We joke not! Brownies and chocolate ‘mug’ cake, Nutella hot fudge and everything that could be counted as droolingly delicious can be whipped up in the microwave, usually in a mug! Try some of these recipes out for yourselves. Cooking and baking in this way could be a gentle opportunity for your loved one to remember the times they loved baking and reclaim some of that joy where they are now.
- Salon Sensations
Never underestimate the power of a pamper session. Ask your loved one if they would like to have an afternoon of having their makeup done and get planning! Come prepared with your loved ones’ favourite moisturiser, makeup and hand cream. Spend an afternoon gentling pampering them, doing their makeup and styling their hair. Softly massaging shoulders, arms and hands can be a way to show care, and provide them with a relaxing experience through safe touch. Moisturising hands and doing their nails can be an accessible way your loved one can cherish the time that you spent with them and feel loved whenever they look down at their hands.
