Although there’s no cure for Parkinson’s, modifications can be made to your senior loved one’s daily life, such as taking up social and physical activities, that alleviate symptoms of the disease. Doing activities such as these can boost your loved one’s quality of life and keep him or her active longer. Here are some of the best therapeutic activities for older adults with Parkinson’s.
Walking
Many doctors recommend physical therapy for seniors with Parkinson’s disease, but walking can be just as beneficial and more manageable for older adults. Taking your loved one for a daily stroll around the neighborhood could be therapeutic and help with his or her motor skills. Regular brisk walks can reduce tiredness and enhance gait, which are issues seniors with Parkinson’s experience. Walking a few times each week could boost your loved one’s mood and increase his or her attention and response control.
Cooking
Losing many abilities can be stressful for seniors with Parkinson’s, increasing their anxiety levels as the disease progresses. However, cooking can be therapeutic and lower the risk of depression and other health issues. While cooking, your loved one can socialize with you and other family caregivers and focus on positive things instead of the disease itself. You can simplify the activity to allow your loved one to help out more, giving him or her something to look forward to during the week.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, an elderly home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Volunteering at an Animal Shelter
Being around pets can enhance a senior’s mood, and interacting with animals can also strengthen balance and flexibility, which is excellent for older adults living with Parkinson’s. Your parent will stay physically active while caring for the pets, whether he or she is in charge of walking the animals, helping with their feedings, or doing other simple tasks.
As the disease progresses, your loved one doesn’t need to give up pet therapy. Instead of volunteering at a shelter a few days each week, he or she could become a pet owner. There are service dogs that help seniors with mobility, lowering the risk of slips and falls. These types of dogs also assist with daily tasks, such as retrieving objects, turning the lights on and off, and providing support for getting in and out of chairs.
Mobility issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease can make caring for aging loved ones increasingly challenging. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Anchorage, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Doing Arts & Crafts
Art therapy can alleviate the symptoms of various health conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. Working on arts and crafts can reduce stress levels, increase dexterity, and lower blood pressure. The techniques used in crafting could provide mental health discipline to seniors living with Parkinson’s disease. The creative process can keep your parent engaged, and it could also boost his or her self-esteem. Choose arts and crafts projects based on your loved one’s abilities, and refrain from pushing him or her too far. Your loved one should enjoy the creative process, not focus on his or her decreasing skills.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with everyday tasks, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable homecare services. Anchorage, AK, families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (907) 770-0907 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.