With careful planning and moderate activity, the impact of Parkinson’s can be less intrusive. When choosing fun tasks and projects for your elderly loved one, keep his or her limitations in mind and avoid things that are too challenging. Below are some of the most beneficial activities for seniors living with the neurodegenerative disorder known as Parkinson’s disease.
Doing Word Puzzles
Searching for words can give seniors with Parkinson’s the stimulation they need. Even without completing the word puzzle, merely searching for the different letters and words can enhance reasoning and language skills as well as semantic memory. By keeping the mind alert while working on word puzzles, seniors with Parkinson’s can enhance their focus, preventing various issues such as slips and falls. In addition to word searches, seniors can match pictures, helping them associate familiar objects with other items.
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 the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Ageing adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable senior home care. Newcastle, NSW, families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our care workers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
Knitting
The activities seniors with Parkinson’s choose should boost their visual-spatial skills, processing speed, and focusing abilities. Knitting is a fun way to accomplish these goals and reduce tremors. When seniors with Parkinson’s start knitting, their attention turns to the activity instead of wondering what symptom will appear next. As a result, their stress levels may decrease significantly, preventing depression and other anxiety disorders. Family carers should choose safe areas for their loved ones to knit in and monitor their actions from time to time.
Swimming
The meditative movements involved in swimming can soothe the mind and alleviate tension in the muscles. The hydrostatic pressure of the water can also boost circulation and reduce pain, swelling, and rigidity. Although swimming is a physical exercise, seniors can still have fun doing the activity a couple of times each week, slowing the progression of Parkinson’s.
Mobility issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease can make caring for ageing adults increasingly challenging. If you’re the primary family carer for a senior living in Newcastle, 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.
Cycling
Low levels of dopamine can cause Parkinson’s symptoms to worsen in older adults. However, adding enjoyable activities such as cycling to the daily routine could increase dopamine levels and reduce coordination problems, muscle stiffness, and tremors. Controlling the bike and monitoring movements can strengthen gait and grip strength, which can help seniors complete many daily tasks independently, providing more confidence and lowering the risk of depression.
Singing in a Choir
Parkinson’s can affect the volume, tone, rhythm, and speed of speech. Exercising the vocal muscles minimises the loss and impact Parkinson’s has on the ability to communicate. Joining a choir, such as a local Parkinson’s Group choir, can be a great way to exercise the vocal muscles, have some fun, and make new friends.
Joining a Support Group
Seniors need to find healthy outlets when it comes to expressing their feelings about Parkinson’s disease, which they can do by joining groups of other adults going through similar challenges. While at the group meetings, they can discuss tips to make their daily lives less challenging. Ageing adults with Parkinson’s can join both in-person and virtual support groups. Being connected to others boosts mental health and can lead to better cognition and slow the progression of the disease.
Parkinson’s NSW offers education material for seniors with Parkinson’s as well as their carers. The website also has a list of local support groups that offer a range of activities and services:
=http://www.parkinsonsnsw.org.au/services/support-groups/
Caring for a senior with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional care worker 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, a home care services agency you can trust. Our care workers 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. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (02) 4089 3000 to schedule a free in-home consultation.
