Elder Care in Fairfax VA: Rainy Day Activities

#1 Break Out a Board Game

Board games are an excellent way to pass the time. Pull out old classics like Monopoly, checkers, chess, Yahtzee, or Parchisi. Most people know how to play them, so anyone who is with the senior can join in, including their elderly care provider. In addition to busting boredom, research has also indicated that older adults who play games have a 15% less chance of developing dementia.

#2 Crack Open a Good Book

Reading a book is a good way to relax and keep the brain active at the same time. A study conducted at the University of Sussex indicated that reading reduces stress levels by 68 percent. If the senior has trouble reading because of vision problems, an elderly care provider can read to them.

#3 Make Something

Crafts give older adults a creative outlet and keep their fingers busy. Anyone can craft, you just have to find what piques the senior’s interest. Try upcycling household items, such as turning an old container into a decorative vase or coin bank. Elderly care providers can help seniors with crafts by assisting them to gather supplies. They can also do parts of the craft that are difficult for the senior, such as threading a needle or manipulating small pieces.

#4 Watch a Movie

Pop in a good DVD or choose a movie from a streaming service. Then, make a healthy snack and let the older adult sit back and enjoy the show. An elderly care provider can prepare the snack and help set up the movie.

#5 Catch Up with Friends and Family

A rainy day is a good opportunity for the senior to spend some time catching up with the people they love. They can send emails, write letters or cards, or make phone calls. Elderly care providers can help those with low vision by typing or writing for the senior.

If you or a loved-one are considering Elder Care in Fairfax, VA, please contact the caring staff at Quality Health Services LLC.  Call today 703-910-7081.

Sources
Blog.arthritis.org
Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
telegraph.co.uk

Caregiver Fairfax VA: Improving Flexibility

Belly Dancing

Belly dancing is a fun, sometimes sensual form of dance that’s not hard to learn. Providing your mom has her doctor’s approval, belly dancing is safe, relatively easy to learn, and helps improve flexibility in the legs, hips, and torso.

Much of the dance involves raising, dropping, and moving the hips in circular motions. Unless your mom has serious hip issues, it’s a great form of exercise that can be learned in a class or through DVD lessons.

Pilates

Pilates benefits the elderly in multiple ways. It does help with flexibility, but it also improves balance and muscle tone. As seniors continue a Pilates program, they may find mobility improves. Pilates is easier on the joints than other exercises because many exercises are done while sitting down.

Look for a Pilates program that is geared towards the elderly. As your mom’s flexibility and muscle tone improve, she can advance into more strenuous classes.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is really a form of meditation that adds gentle movements that help strengthen the core and improve flexibility. Because the exercises are performed in a slow, graceful manner, they’re easy on the joints. This makes them a great program for seniors who are out of shape or recovering from illness or surgery.

Yoga

Yoga is another form of exercise that helps with flexibility. Your mom will want to start slow in a class designed for beginners. As she learns the simple poses and starts building strength and flexibility, she’ll find some of the more difficult poses become easier to manage. As she stretches and strengthens muscles, she’ll also be focusing on her breathing, which helps her relax and ease tension.

Zumba

Zumba is a dance workout that has choreographed fitness routines set to music with a beat. The moves give the entire body a workout and help with flexibility. Starting out, your mom may need to look for an easier class, such as Water Zumba. The goal of any Zumba class is to have fun and move to the music.

Does your mom struggle with transportation? Is it hard for her to get to fitness classes at local senior centers or gyms? Look at the services caregivers offer. Caregivers can drive your mom to her fitness classes, take her to appointments, or bring her grocery shopping.

At home, caregivers can supervise her fitness activities to make sure she’s safe, stays hydrated, and rests when needed. They help with light housework, meals, and grooming. Find out more about the ways

If you or a loved-one are considering a Caregiver in Fairfax, VA, please contact the caring staff at Quality Health Services LLC.  Call today 703-910-7081.