It’s the time of year when many of us are thinking about what to buy for those we care about and appreciate. If you have a senior loved one who receives home care in Waterloo and you want to give an ideal gift that can benefit him or her as well as the caregiver, consider the options on this list.
Audiobooks or DVDs
Seniors often enjoy listening to audiobooks and watching movies, and these activities can help your loved one exercise his or her brain and have fun at the same time. These gifts can be helpful for your loved one’s caregiver as well. Some family caregivers find it challenging to provide new stimulating activities for the seniors they care for, so new media items your loved one hasn’t heard or seen before may help. Audiobooks and movies can help keep your loved one occupied in a solo activity if his or her caregiver needs to attend to other duties like cooking meals or cleaning up.
Cookbooks and Grocery Gift Cards
Oftentimes, part-time and live-in caregivers in Waterloo are in charge of helping prepare snacks or meals for seniors. As anyone who has cooked on a regular basis can tell you, coming up with new, healthy ideas for what to serve can become difficult. This may be especially true for seniors since they (or their family caregivers) likely have a limited budget. One great way to ensure your loved one is eating healthy, and that his or her caregiver can prepare meals with less concern for budgets, is to give a cookbook with recipes your loved one will enjoy and a gift card for a local grocery store to purchase the ingredients.
Day Passes for Local Activities
If there are museums, zoos, aquariums, or other interesting locations nearby, consider purchasing day pass vouchers. Not only is it a great reason to get out of the house, but your loved one and his or her caregiver can also enjoy the outing together at their convenience. This can be a wonderful experience for both of them since a senior’s limited budget rarely allows for a caregiver to provide special outings to places like these. Going on an outing can be an excellent bonding experience for your loved one and his or her caregiver and strengthen their emotional connection. Outings can also be mentally, physically, and emotionally stimulating for your loved one. His or her caregiver may enjoy the outing as much as your loved one. Often, a caregiver’s days are full and there are rarely chances to go to interesting, educating, or fun locations with the seniors they care for. Caregivers can wind up following similar daily routines, which can grow tiresome, so a change of pace for a day can be a rewarding experience.
Games or Puzzles
Caregivers are always looking for stimulating activities they can share with the seniors they care for. Studies are showing brain-boosting games and puzzles are extremely healthy and beneficial for people of all ages. Activities your loved one can share with his or her caregiver can help strengthen their relationship and remind them how beneficial it is to spend time participating in activities together. Having regular time for fun and stimulating activities like a favorite game or a new puzzle can brighten your loved one’s day. A caregiver can also enjoy the chance to bond with the senior he or she cares for.
The gift of caregiving is one of the most wonderful things you can provide for your loved one to help promote his or her health. If you are the primary caregiver for a senior and need some additional assistance, consider a professional caregiver from Home Care Assistance. Our caregivers are available 24/7 to provide companionship for your loved one and assist with a wide variety of daily tasks. We also offer specialized Parkinson’s, stroke, and dementia care in Waterloo for seniors who require more comprehensive care. To schedule a free consultation, call a friendly Care Manager today at (519) 954-2111.