activities-to-do-with-seniors-caregivers

What activities do seniors like to do? As a professional or family caregiver, you may find that you’re doing the same daily activities over and over with your clients. Schedules are important for those you care for, but they can also become boring, making you and the person you’re caring for less excited about your time together. Many clients lose the ability to do activities that they once loved, but caregivers have a unique opportunity to be creative and help seniors enjoy those forgotten activities. Below are tips for planning new activities:

Recruiting Caregivers Who Will Stay

Attract Long-Term Caregivers

View “Recruiting Caregivers Who Will Stay For The Long Term”

1. Ask Questions

Get to know your client and ask questions about what they like to do. Take the time to dig deep and see if there is an activity they used to do that you could alter in a way where they could do it again.

2. Be Creative

If there’s an activity your client can no longer do, think about other ways they could participate. For example, if your client loved to go fishing, suggest that they sign up to help teach a fly tying class.

Read Tips for Recruiting A+ Caregivers for Your Home Care Business

3. Keep the Client’s Abilities In Mind

There could be physical and mental limitations that may cause agitation for your client when attempting certain activities. Be mindful of these limits and focus on things that they can do comfortably.

There are many activities that are appropriate for seniors. It may take some thinking and planning on your part as the caregiver, but keeping your client happy is your goal. According to CaregiverStress.com, there are many possible activities you could do with your clients.

Activities to Do with Seniors

  • Word games
  • Puzzles
  • Going for walks
  • Baking
  • Gardening
  • Crafts
  • Attending sporting events
  • Social activities

As a caregiver, you have the unique opportunity to spend a large amount of time with those you care for. By making your visits entertaining and productive, you’ll start building a deeper relationship with the person you’re caring for and both of you will be happier as a result.

Client Referral Program Letter Sample

Draft More Effective Client Referral Letters

Get the Client Referral Program Letter Sample.

8 Comments

  1. Deanna R. Jones June 25, 2015 at 7:30 pm - Reply

    Thanks for the information! As a new caregiver in the field, there seems to be a lot that I still need to learn about when it comes to the best ways to look after and interact with my elderly clients. It seems like finding fun activities to do with them is a good way to make their final years more meaningful. Asking questions about things that my client likes to do is a great tip to find ideas for things that they would find entertaining. It seems like asking them about some of their favorite activities that they enjoyed when they were younger also seems like a good way to make them feel entertained. I can imagined that doing the activities that they used to do would also be a good way to bring some nostalgia to their lives and make them feel young again.

  2. Frank Denninger August 4, 2015 at 11:24 am - Reply

    And when you’re tired of sitting around and want to be active – get lucky like I did – At 65 I found indoor skydiving which is and enclosed vertically oriented wind tunnel where the air flows upward fast enough to let u fly like a bird. Many say this duplicates the feelings of a freefall skydive from a plane b4 the parachute opens. To me the sensation of all that air flowing around me was indescribable and one of the most unique experiences of my life which drew me into this sport. Age is NOT a barrier to doing this since folks have flown from 3 to 90 years old. Don’t deprive yourself any longer – try it at least once – just google iFLY to find a tunnel near you – iFLY Orlando in Florida is the original where I fly. Good Luck to All. Remember this tune from “Easy Rider” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpnsIe7wBW8

  3. Lynette September 19, 2016 at 10:27 am - Reply

    This was very helpful I am a first time caregiver and I be looking for things to entertain them other than the TV or sitting outside

  4. Shonette March 30, 2017 at 10:22 am - Reply

    Thanks. The information was very helpful im in my second week of work first patient and need some fun things to do since she’s way better and more active from when i first started 10 days ago.

  5. Marian April 25, 2017 at 9:10 pm - Reply

    Have an 88 y/o male client, middle stage Alzheimer’s – needs assist to walk, answers with yes, no, whatever you want (for lunches), enjoys coloring, rides stationary bike very well, not much expression. We do go to occasional movie – must be action packed or he sleeps! He has a live-in caregiver & I relieve her 3 x wk…. 9 a – 6 p – any suggestions for outside activity ? Tried Sen. Ctr, visits, putt-putt golf, an arcade, feeding ducks in the park, etc, etc. Wide open to suggestion ! Been with him @ just 8 months. Thanks.

  6. Minnie Nathan July 26, 2017 at 2:05 pm - Reply

    My client no longer want to do anything, she only eat once daily, sleeps late mid morning, stays in bed. Does not want to walk anymore, and cannot remember how to play any card games. Any suggestions

  7. Amanda Stanton July 27, 2017 at 9:17 am - Reply

    It is good to hear from an expert caregiver about things to do with your loved one. Social activities are important especially when seniors retire from their jobs. Every caregiver should host family gatherings for their loved one. Gardening is one of the most common activities seniors do after retirement. Thank you for sharing some useful tips.

  8. Nellie G. Segura April 28, 2018 at 5:22 am - Reply

    I am so glad that I came across this article! My husband and I have been thinking about hiring someone to come and help take care of my mom because we both have really crazy work schedules. I think that these tips will really help us start the discussion with her, thanks for the information!

Leave A Comment