Finding interesting and enjoyable things to do with your family member can be a challenge after a while. You’ve run out of ideas. So, now what? The first step is to make a realistic assessment of your senior’s abilities both physical and mental. If you need help to do this, you can find senior care services in your area to help you know your loved one’s limitations. When deciding on activities, consider what is possible and what may need to be modified, and then set out to pick your at-home and out-and-about adventures.
Remember, if you’re heading out, pack a travel bag. You should consider bringing sunscreen, water, personal care items, disposable wipes, lip balm, snacks, and an extra sweater or jacket. If your senior is wheelchair-bound, you may even want to bring a little blanket to protect against a chill in the air. Be sure not to forget to snag the hang tag for disabled parking to ensure you can park close to any building. Most importantly, have fun! Staying active is as important for the caregiver as it is for your senior.
Take a walk.
You don’t have to go far to enjoy the outdoors, and it’s as invigorating for you as it is for your family member. A walk in the neighborhood keeps your family members connected to their surroundings, neighbors, and the community at large. You can check out who is having their house painted or who is redoing their landscaping.
You don’t have to stay local, though. Take a trip to a nearby park. Many seniors enjoy watching children play, and playgrounds at the park are a great place to just sit and enjoy one’s self. If you and the person you’re caring for are up for a road trip, head to a local community or botanical garden, or take to the trails in the state or national forests.
If the weather is bad, head to the mall. On weekdays, the mall isn’t as crowded, and it can be a great alternative if being outside isn’t an option. As a bonus, you can explore the different specialty stores or just find a comfortable place to sit and people watch.
Hook the big one.
All 50 states are filled with many lakes and streams that are accessible for fishing, and Arkansas is no exception. The Ouachita National Forest has both lakes and streams to enjoy. Depending on how physically able your senior is, you are sure to find the right spot for you. Most of the lakes in the park have boat launch ramps.
If you prefer shore fishing, many have fishing piers. There is even a fishing lake on the side of a wheelchair-accessible path. Encourage other family members to fish with you and your senior. It’s the perfect way for the elderly to spend time with their children, grandchildren, and friends.
Also, don’t feel like you have to drive across the state to head to Ouachita, either. Many communities have lakes close by where you can enjoy casting a line.
Hit the road.
Go for a car ride, destination unknown. Just pick a direction and take off. If you or your senior see something interesting, stop and check it out. It could be an antique shop, a bakery, or just a lovely park.
If your senior has a hard time walking, you don’t have to stop. Go for a ride just to see the fall color. Take a ride to revisit places important to your seniors, such as the house they grew up in, their old high school, or the church they were married in. You could take a ride on the designated Scenic Byway 7 of Arkansas. It winds through the Ozark Mountains and through the delta region of the Mississippi River. There are numerous spots to stop and investigate, in addition to incredible views.
Grow a garden.
The best part of gardening is you can start small. Maybe it’s an indoor planting like a windowsill herb garden. You can start with seeds and plant easy-to-grow chives and parsley or purchase small starter plants at the local garden center.
Choose herbs your seniors already like and will use and, maybe, one herb they aren’t familiar with but want to try. Consider adding a scented variety such as chocolate mint, which will be worth having just for the yummy smell when you rub the leaves.
If there is room on the porch or patio, you and your senior can try container gardening. From flowers to vegetables, your containers can grow anything. Tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce all will grow well in a pot.
If your senior is capable of maintaining a more traditional garden but doesn’t have the yard for it, you can try to get space in a community garden. The additional advantage of interaction with other gardeners will increase the pleasure of the garden.
Try your hand in the kitchen.
Cooking and baking don’t just make delicious food; they can help you bond with your seniors—and you don’t have to be Gordon Ramsey to do it. Watch some cooking shows and try a new recipe with the help of your seniors. They may not be able to stand at the stove for long periods of time, but they can sit and put a salad together or peel potatoes.
You can also ask them if they have favorite recipes from when they were younger. Those traditional recipes can bring back welcome memories. Don’t be discouraged by limitations. Even if your seniors can’t follow recipes on their own, they can still participate by mixing the ingredients, cutting out holiday cookies or decorating brownies with powdered sugar. And, at the end of it? You’ve got a new meal or treat to enjoy.
Put together a puzzle.
Jigsaw puzzles are available in all sizes, from 12 pieces to 100+ pieces. If the person you care for is able to do a large puzzle over time, set up a puzzle on a card table, and then it can be worked on over several days.
If that is overwhelming to them, choose one of the smaller puzzle sizes. There are even puzzles available with cover art from magazines many elderly people grew up with, like The Saturday Evening Post, and it’s a great way to bring back fun memories—especially if your senior struggles with memory loss. In addition to jigsaw puzzles, there are books of word search puzzles, hidden pictures, and crosswords to stimulate the mind while having some relaxing fun.
Hit the gaming table.
There are so many games to choose from. If your senior enjoys a challenge, try a game of Scrabble or Bananagrams. You can also tap into some classic games like checkers, Go Fish, and Old Maid—especially if the grandkids are coming over. If they like Bridge or the similar game Sheepshead, invite family or friends over for a game or check out the local senior center, as many have scheduled days where cards are played. Heading over to these activities has the added advantage of the opportunity for socialization.
Grab a towel and get sweaty.
Check out the YMCA in your area. They offer many classes specifically for seniors at all levels of physical ability, from water aerobics to seated-only exercises perfect for the wheelchair-bound or anyone with balance issues. There are also exercise programs online or on public TV specifically for seniors if you can’t leave the home. Any amount of movement is beneficial to the health and mobility of the senior.
Volunteer in the community.
Everyone needs to feel they are part of something. Volunteering is a great way to achieve that while keeping your senior active and social. It can be something as simple as passing out poppies on Veteran’s Day or crocheting baby blankets for hospitalized children. If they need something simpler, they can read to children at schools or daycares, provide companionship to seniors in nursing homes, or teach a class at the local senior center.
Reading is underrated.
If your family member loves to read, a trip to the library or a scroll through e-book services might make for a fun afternoon. If their eyesight isn’t what it used to be, perhaps a large-print book would help. Tablets also allow you to adjust the screen for larger lettering, or you can try audio books. Most libraries have a large selection of audiobooks and, if they prefer to own their books, you can head to a major bookstore or Amazon.
Get crafty.
There are so many creative opportunities available today. If your senior already has an interest in a particular craft, expand on that. If you’re looking for ideas, check out the local senior center or quilt shops. They often have classes available.
Does your senior want to try something new? There are painting classes now that teach an easy technique accessible to all levels and, by the end of an evening, you have a completed painting to take home with you. They encourage you to bring friends—so you can help your senior organize a family activity.
If your seniors find they enjoy painting, they may enjoy adult coloring books at home where they don’t have to worry about making a mess. These are very relaxing and don’t take a great deal of artistic skill. And, of course, if they want to test their painting skills on something other than canvas, you can pick up unfinished birdhouses to paint. With a quick stop at a craft store and a little bit of hot glue, your seniors can even add flowers or other embellishments.
Follow the flocks.
Speaking of birds, even if your seniors are confined to their homes, bird watching can be a fun, relaxing activity. Simply place feeders near or on the window where your seniors sit. Depending on the type of seed you use, you can attract a large variety of birds. Put out a hummingbird feeder or plant the type of flowers that hummers will be attracted to. Place pieces of yarn or scraps of fabric out during nest-building time and watch for the colorful nests in your yard.
If your family member is able to go out, check for bird watching opportunities. Arkansas is the home of a wide variety of native birds, and it is on the flight path of many species of migratory birds. It’s also the winter home of many northern birds. Start a book to record what type of bird you see, the date, and place and see how many you and your senior can add to your list.
Indulge in animal therapy.
If your seniors are animal lovers, try to incorporate that love into their lives. It can be a visit to a local shelter for puppy play sessions or a stroll through the zoo. Interacting with animals can light up your family members’ days—and don’t forget to visit the petting zoo, too. Shelters are always looking for volunteers, and some zoos love to have people available to talk about their favorite animals. Other animal-friendly options include dog walking, cat cafes, or just visits from family pets.
Bonus Tip: Head out on the town.
Maybe it’s a game at the local high school or professional ballpark. Or a performance, play, musical show, or art exhibit downtown. There are things happening in your town every day, no matter what time of the year it is. Go to the 4th of July fireworks or the holiday parade. Attend their grandchildren’s fall musical. All of these events can be enriching and provide a connection to family and community
With just a brief Google search, you can find countless options for activities to keep you and your seniors from getting bored. Sometimes, being cooped up in a house just adds to the stress of elder care. Getting fresh air can make all the difference. Don’t forget to ask your seniors if there’s anything they want to do. You may be surprised to learn that they’ve got a few ideas of their own.
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