Staying active isn’t just about physical exercise, although obviously that’s one aspect of it. There are other parts of a person that need activity, and the mind is a big part of that. Minds that have nothing to do can become ill, depressed, and generally less positive than they might be with something to focus on, so if your older relatives are feeling a bit fed up, you might want to suggest they take part in one or two interesting or fun activities a couple of times a week.
Get a bit more social
Older people who are more-or-less stuck in their own homes day in, day out, can suffer from boredom and sometimes depression. It’s hard to look forward to the day when you know there’s nothing to do, so getting out-and-about one or two days a week can be lots of fun, and well worth the extra effort for everyone.
Day care centres are great places to spend a few hours, and they often run quizzes, puzzle games, and group fun days for everyone to take part in.
If the weather’s a bit inclement, they’ll have a hall or room booked for the party to happen inside, and if there’s lots of sunshine on the cards, the centre might even have grounds or a garden to enjoy.
Take a swim
Regular exercise releases endorphins into the blood stream. These happy hormones can do everyone a world of good, even older folks. There’s no need to slave up and down the pool doing lengths. Just a bit of bobbing around in warm water, chatting to other people, and enjoying a cup of tea and a piece of cake afterwards might be enough to loosen limbs and open minds.
Your local leisure centre, pool, gym, or hydrotherapy unit may have special offers and organised groups for older people, so give them a call and see what’s on offer.
A leisurely walk with a purpose
Walking without purpose isn’t for everyone, but the UK is full of interesting and historical places to visit, and most grandparents relish the opportunity to spend more time with their grandchildren, so why not visit a castle, or a museum, or even an art gallery for a day out to remember?
Most public places have good accessibility for older and disabled people, but if you want to be sure to avoid disappointment, just call your local place of interest and see what they say about it. You can save the indoor places for rainy days, and the outdoor ones for sunny moments, so you don’t have to worry too much about the weather.
Get that crossword out!
Whether it’s a wordsearch or a cryptic crossword, a set of maths questions, or a general knowledge quiz, older people love to use their brains and even if they haven’t done so for a while, it’s really good for them – and anyone – to get the old cogs working.
A daily crossword is a great resource, and you can print-off new ones from the Internet if you don’t get a daily paper. Failing that, Sudoku is also lots of fun for the more mathematically inclined folks, or there are lots of great puzzle books – often available in large print as well as the usual size – for people who like a bit more variety.
Staying active isn’t just about the body. It’s about the mind, the social side of human nature, and just getting out.
What activities have you taken part in with your older relatives lately? Let us know and tweet about it to @SahanCares!
