Adult children and other concerned family members often think about different ways to ensure their elderly parents and relatives are staying busy and remaining happy. While the statistics show that elderly depression is on the rise, it is easy enough to turn this situation around by helping our elderly loved ones find a passion and pursue different hobbies. Studies indicate that senior citizens who are engaged in a productive hobby often have more zeal, live healthier lives, and improve the quality of their emotional and psychological living. At UEW Healthcare and Four Corners Health Care, as we have provided free home healthcare services for DOL EEOICPA and RECA beneficiaries, we have seen which hobbies many elderly individuals enjoy to keep their lives fulfilling and enriched. This article describes just a few of them.
1. Exercising
Elderly people who commonly exercise have a higher standard and quality of life and often are able to fight off depression and mentally damaging diseases. Yoga is growing more and more popular among the elderly, for instance, but disabled or movement-restricted seniors may also benefit from physical therapy to help them strengthen certain areas that can help eliminate pain and restore some function to a degree.
2. Dancing
Dancing is another form of exercise, but it deserves its own category. Many elderly individuals lived in an era where dances were the common pastime. There are still several dance clubs in many cities and towns specifically geared for elderly crowds, but even within an assisted living space, seniors who dance get the benefits of exercise in addition to music therapy, both of which help to restore health and maintain value and purpose.
3. Gardening
While this isn’t feasible for every elderly individual, gardening also tends to be one of the more helpful, health-promoting hobbies an elderly person can pick up. The reason for this is that being down in the dirt helps an individual connect with nature while helping something grow and keeping it alive gives them a sense of purpose and helping them hold on to what it means to be human.
4. Games
Games are often a great way to involve the elderly with people in their families and other communities (i.e. assisted living or nursing homes). Regular, scheduled games help to stimulate the mind and give seniors something fun to look forward to every day/week.
5. Volunteering
Elderly citizens who volunteer in their community, are often happier. If they feel like they are able to contribute in an impactful way to another person’s life, it engenders a sense of purpose in their own. Volunteering can include anything from joining a local organization to making small crafts for care packages.
Getting the Elderly Involved
Despite disease or disability, most elderly people simply want to feel what we all want to feel: happiness, purpose in life, and the love and support that comes from being an active member of a family or society. Regular hobbies often help them achieve this, and being there for our elderly loved ones by suggesting creative hobbies they can do will make all the difference in their health and overall well-being.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a chronic disease after working with the US DOE and qualify for EEOICPA and RECA benefits, be sure to contact UEW Healthcare and Four Corners Health Care for free home health care for your elderly family members.