Activities That Can Help with Your Elderly Loved One’s Mental Health
The mental health of everyone is so important. Oftentimes, we forget that the elderly often suffer from mental health issues. Since most people forget or don’t think about the mental health of the elderly, the elderly will suffer in silence.
As a family caregiver, be sure that you talk to your elderly loved ones about their mental health.
Let them know that if they need to talk, you are there for them. If your elderly loved one has any mental health issues, there are some activities that can help them to feel better. You and the elder care providers can do these activities with your loved one or encourage them to do these activities on their own.
Physical Activities
There are many physical activities that could help your elderly loved one with their mental health. For instance, if your elderly loved one suffers from high levels of anxiety and/or stress, some of the physical activities that can help them to feel better include the following:
- Many seniors, especially those who suffer from depression, are at higher risk of developing mental issues as a result of “stay at home” and “social distancing” restrictions imposed by COVID-19.
- Social Work and Activities departments of Oxnard Family Circle offer services that focus on reducing anxiety and building social connections to help program participants create and maintain a sense of belonging.
- For this purpose, Oxnard Family Circle employs Zoom and other technologies for games and activities like Bingo, physical and mental exercises, sing-along, as well as a variety of other stimulating social activities.
- For those who require professional social work and psychological counseling, Oxnard Family Circle offers individual support using telehealth or one-on-one meetings in a safe and secure environment to prevent exposure to COVID-19.
If your elderly loved one does these things regularly, they can reduce their anxiety and/or stress. If your loved one isn’t motivated enough or focused enough to do these activities, they might be more inclined to do so, if you or an elder care provider do these activities with them.
Positive Thinking Activities
To help with your elderly loved one’s mental health, they should take part in positive thinking activities, as well. They can write down what they are grateful for or watch motivational videos online. If your elderly loved one can start thinking more positively, it can help them to feel better mentally.
Conclusion
These are some of the activities that can help with your elderly loved one’s mental health. Share these activity ideas with your elderly loved ones and encourage them to do these today.
If you need respite and/or help with caring for your loved-one, talk to the caring staff at Oxnard Family Circle, Adult Day Care Center today. We serve seniors and families throughout Ventura County. Call us at 805-385-4180.
Sources
https://medlineplus.gov/howtoimprovementalhealth.html