During the first few months of stroke recovery, seniors generally experience physical and cognitive limitations that prevent them from leaving the house, aside from traveling to doctor visits and therapy sessions. However, it’s vital for older adults recovering from strokes to engage in stimulating tasks. Here are some ideal activities senior stroke survivors can do at home.
1. Listening to Music
After a stroke, the brain experiences significant changes regarding memory, language, and mobility skills. However, listening to music for a couple of hours every day can increase verbal memory and attention span, and it can also have a positive effect on motor and speech skills during stroke recovery. When your senior loved one is feeling down and discouraged, he or she should listen to music or sing along to a favourite song to increase the release of endorphins, which can boost mental and emotional health.
Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Waterloo live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life.
2. Performing Yoga
Yoga is an activity seniors can do in the comfort of home to boost mobility and decrease the risk of depression following a stroke. All your loved one needs is a safe place and a yoga mat. Yoga can foster mind and body connections and rewire the brain. Since the activity is focus driven, your loved one can enhance his or her concentration abilities while relaxing the mind and lowering stress. Yoga also boosts range of motion, strength, and endurance during the recovery process.
A professional caregiver can help your loved one exercise safely. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality at-home care. Trust Home Care Assistance to help your elderly loved one age in place safely and comfortably.
3. Reading
Many seniors retain language skills after having a stroke, which is why reading is a great activity to take up during recovery. Base the materials your loved one reads on his or her cognitive abilities and personal interests. Doing so could reduce the risk of boredom and stress caused by confusion. You could also use audiobooks to keep your loved one’s mind active. Listening to audiobooks gives seniors the ability to match words with their appropriate pronunciations.
4. Painting
Different colours and textures can stimulate the mind. Find fun artistic activities for your loved one to do, such as painting. Merely holding a paintbrush can strengthen fine motor skills. While painting pictures, your loved one should let his or her creativity shine through. Creative expression can lead to enhanced mood, better cognitive health, and decreased anxiety.
5. Playing Games
Host game nights your loved one can enjoy while being surrounded by family and friends. Playing games provides mental stimulation and requires your loved one to use areas of the brain that were impacted by the stroke. Since some games require hand, arm, and leg movements, your loved one can enhance his or her motor skills. Some of the games family caregivers should consider for game nights include Scrabble, checkers, Jenga, UNO, and dominos.
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 Waterloo elder 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. To learn more about our highly trained caregivers, call us at (519) 954-2111.