Parkinson’s disease affects mobility and coordination, which can make it difficult for seniors to find suitable activities. To help your loved one remain healthy, it’s important to suggest rewarding hobbies and interests. Here are five safe activities that are great for seniors with Parkinson’s disease.
1. Singing
When people think of Parkinson’s symptoms, hand tremors are often the first that come to mind. These tremors happen because the disease affects muscular control. Over time, the disease impacts the muscles in the throat. When seniors lose control over these muscles, their ability to speak diminishes. Singing is one of the best ways to give throat muscles a workout. If your loved one wants to exercise the throat muscles, he or she should try to sing for an hour every day. Your loved one can sing through the scales, belt out the latest pop ballad, or hum a classic song from his or her youth.
Parkinson’s disease is a serious health issue that affects a senior’s ability to manage daily tasks independently. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care Lincoln, California, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
2. Listening to Audiobooks
Seniors with Parkinson’s disease may have difficulty turning the pages of a book, but this doesn’t mean they can no longer enjoy literature. There are many technological solutions that help seniors with motor coordination issues read. Audiobooks are an excellent solution, and if they’re downloaded onto a voice-activated device, your loved one may not even need to press play. Seniors can also use e-readers, many of which come with accessibility features.
3. Dancing
Many seniors with Parkinson’s disease retain some level of mobility. For these seniors, it’s important to keep moving. Dancing is a popular form of therapy for people with Parkinson’s disease, as it helps them develop lean muscles, minimize freezing episodes, and enhance coordination. Swaying to songs and moving the body can be highly therapeutic.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one needs help dancing, exercising, or performing other physical tasks. Families looking to hire a Lincoln caregiver can reach out to Home Care Assistance. All of our hourly and live-in caregivers receive extensive ongoing training to ensure they provide the high-quality in-home care seniors need and deserve.
4. Playing Games
Games can be tailored to differing levels of mobility. It’s easy to find adaptive puzzles, card games, and bingo cards made for seniors with limited vision or dexterity. While these games may appeal to seniors, the grandkids may not be impressed. For a family day spent with the grandkids, your loved one can break out the Nintendo Wii. These controllers don’t require the dexterity or motor skills of other game systems, making them ideal for seniors with Parkinson’s disease.
5. Engaging in Community Activities
Older adults with Parkinson’s disease often become isolated over time. Socialization is important for mental wellbeing, and your loved one’s condition may worsen if his or her emotional needs aren’t being met. To boost his or her emotional health, your loved one should try to stay active in the community. If your loved one is religious, he or she can join a local spiritual community. If he or she wants to learn, joining a community college class is the perfect opportunity.
Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Lincoln seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more. To hire a professional caregiver for your senior loved one, call Home Care Assistance at (916) 226-3737 today.