The summertime is always a fun time for getting out and about with the family, and while often we may think of taking the little ones on adventures, it can be brilliant to connect with elderly loved ones too.
We often don’t think about our older family members, but loneliness and isolation amongst them is high, particularly if they live alone at home. While senior care homes can be important for reducing isolation amongst our loved ones, it’s still important to play an active part in a loved one’s life, and there are many activities you can still enjoy with them, creating memories and developing deeper bonds.
So, as the summer gets closer, here are five healthy hobbies to take up with your elderly loved ones this summer…
Gardening
Of course, as the weather gets better gardening is a great collaborative hobby that carries many health benefits. It’s gentle physical exercise, while the exposure to fresh air and sunlight can be fantastic for boosting mood.
It’s always been considered a good activity for reducing stress and stimulating the brain, while working together as a team can provide real value and a sense of achievement, especially when you start to see the fruits of your labour, quite literally in some cases.
Walking
One of the simplest activities to take up with an elderly loved one is walking. Naturally, you don’t want to overdo it with anything too strenuous, but a short walk out in nature can be hugely beneficial, particularly for your loved one.
Walking can improve heart health, circulation and keeps the joints flexible and muscles strong, improving both balance and flexibility, something that is hugely important in later life. Take a picnic with you and you’ve got yourself a great day out in the sunshine.
Swimming
Swimming is a full-body workout that is low-impact and ideally suited to pensioners. It engages multiple muscle groups, improving the strength and endurance of them, while the buoyancy of the water can reduce stress on joints, making it a good activity for those with mobility issues and arthritis.
You can visit a local pool, lido or even consider wild swimming which is proving hugely popular, improving both physical and mental health.
Cooking
Cooking and baking are great ways to spend quality time together while promoting healthy eating habits. This creative and rewarding activity can be enjoyed by all ages. Preparing meals together fosters an understanding of healthy eating, and following recipes and measuring ingredients stimulate cognitive functions.
Cooking together provides an opportunity for conversation and bonding. To get started, choose simple, healthy recipes that everyone enjoys, focus on incorporating fresh, seasonal ingredients, and encourage participation in meal planning and preparation.
Tai Chi
Finally, consider Tai Chi. The martial art is incredibly gentle and focuses on slow movements and deep breathing. Similar to yoga, it’s excellent for both body and mind and is so, so good for improving balance.
Balance can be one of the more difficult skills to possess in later years, so being a part of your loved one’s routine in improving that can be really rewarding. Taking part in Tai Chi can reduce the risks of falls, as well as promoting relaxation, making a Tai Chi class a fantastic way to spend an evening.
