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“Raves” for Seniors!

Older Londoners “rave” in parties over tea!

If there is one truth I recognized in working with older adults its that they all were once young and have the stories to back that up! Many retain their youthful sense of humor and perspective…even if the old body is slowing down. I love hearing about the experiences they had as they navigated life.

I regularly attend events geared towards older adults and dancing is commonly on the agenda. Most seniors like to boogie and many retain a rhythm that today’s youth can’t match!

Case in point are tea party “raves” taking place in London. I came across this article and loved the outfits and spirit of the folks “raving.” Remember, you are only as old as you feel. RAVE ON!

https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/j5az48/this-nightclub-for-the-elderly-is-fighting-loneliness-with-tea-party-raves

What Are Truly Effective Activities for an Aging Adult?

Before you spend a lot of time focusing on what kinds of activities your elderly family member should be trying, it might help to look at which of the activities you’re considering are potentially the most effective for her. If you’re still figuring out what it means to have effective activities planned, these tips might help.

 

Homecare in Dunwoody GA: Effective Activities for an Aging Adult
Homecare in Dunwoody GA: Effective Activities for an Aging Adult

 

They Help Give Her Both Purpose and Joy

As your senior grows older, she may find that she’s feeling a little bit lost. Some of the best activities that you help her to engage with help her to remember that she’s still a valuable member of the family and of society as a whole. Just because she’s growing older, that doesn’t mean that she’s disposable.

 

They Build and Test Her Abilities

Having a reason behind the activity also helps and one of the reasons that you might be helping your senior find activities to do is that they help her to build up her abilities or her strengths. For example, she might exercise so that she can remain healthier, but the exercise needs to be a bit challenging.

 

She Likes Them

If your elderly family member doesn’t enjoy the various activities that are filling her day, they’re not going to do much for her in the end. She needs to be doing things that she likes and that make her happy. Otherwise, there’s no point at all. If you’re not sure whether or not your elderly family member enjoys the activities that she’s engaging in, take the time to open up a conversation about them so there’s no question.

 

They Help Her Feel Successful

Challenging activities are fabulous because they allow your aging family member to test her limits. If they’re too challenging, however, she might be tempted to give up on them. You don’t want to make anything so complicated or difficult that your senior is demanding perfection from herself. That’s not what this is about at all. You want to help her to feel successful, no matter what she’s trying.

If you’re having a difficult time coming up with effective and engaging activities for your senior to try, consider working with elderly care providers to come up with some ideas. They’re accustomed to just this type of planning with caregivers.

 

If you or an aging family member are considering homecare in Dunwoody, GA, please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954.

 

8 Ways Seniors Can Stay in Touch with Best Friends

A strong friendship with a best friend is often one of the longest relationships that people have. A true best friend provides support and love, and it means there’s always someone there that understands them.  Elderly people with a best friend are certainly fortunate because their friendships have spanned decades.  However, as seniors age, they become less mobile and more susceptible to the illnesses and injuries associated with growing older.  All this means that elderly people are often lonely because their social networks are shrinking with every passing year.

Loneliness is a serious problem among elderly people.  Fortunately, loneliness can be overcome, especially when there is a best friend or two that seniors can stay connected with.  Family caregivers can be a big help in assisting elderly relatives in staying in touch with best friends, whether they live close or far away.

 

Caregivers in Marietta GA: Tips For Senior's To Stay In Touch
Caregivers in Marietta GA: Tips For Senior’s To Stay In Touch

 

Here are 8 ways that seniors can stay in touch with best friends…

-1.) Hold regularly scheduled phone calls or video chats at about the same time every week.  This helps seniors gather information they want to share with each other during the week, and gives them a social opportunity that they look forward to.

-2.) Introduce them to social media and communication technology, such as texting, email, and social media.  Depending on the elderly person’s abilities and aptitudes, this can be an excellent way to stay in touch with best friends.

-3.) Seniors can prepare thoughtful gestures for the best friend, such as sending a card to commemorate an event or birthday, or sending a small gift just because they care.

-4.) Anyone can set up a long-distance book club or movie club.  Simply agree on the book or movie to view and then get together, in real life or online, and discuss it.

-5.) Coordinate meetups at community events such as the local senior citizen’s center, church or other location that they two friends have in common and where others in their social network might also be.

-6.) Family caregivers can help arrange outings between the two elderly friends by coordinating with family members, elder care assistants and others to make it happen.  It can be at a park, restaurant or in each other’s homes.

-7.) It’s never too late to learn a new hobby together, such as gardening, knitting, building models, crossword puzzles or video games.  Seniors can get together to work together, or try things separately and then compare notes.

-8.) Plan a trip down memory lane for two best friends by gathering photo albums, home videos and other mementos.  Then have them reminisce about their friendship as it is being recorded for posterity.

No matter what age, best friends provide each other with support and companionship through the ups and downs of life.   Elderly people that are best friends have likely weathered some of the biggest challenges and greatest triumphs possible, and that friendship should be nurtured as much as possible.

Family caregivers that see their elderly relative’s social network fading out over the years need to make a special effort to help them combat loneliness and devote themselves to their long-lasting friendship.

If you or an aging family member are considering hiring a caregiver in Marietta, GA, please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954.

Source:
https://psychcentral.com/lib/coping-with-loneliness-tips-for-seniors/