6 Strategies for Engaging Elderly People in Social Activities

Socially involved seniors are happier and healthier than those who are isolated. Your senior loved one’s social life will likely encounter a few changes over the years, especially after retiring or losing his or her spouse. These six strategies can keep older adults socially engaged so they always have somewhere to turn for entertainment or caring people to talk to about their experiences. 

 

1. Emphasize Their Desire to Help

Your loved one may not want to go to a party for his or her own benefit but may be eager to do anything he or she can to make your life easier. Try asking your loved one to help you host an event for a close family member, such as a grandchild. You could also ask your loved one to accompany you to a movie or lunch. Your loved one may be more likely to say yes to an invitation knowing his or her presence will make you feel better. 

 

2. Do Something Completely New

After years of going to the same places, your loved one may just be bored. Help your loved one get out of the house by suggesting doing something he or she hasn’t done before. If your loved one has always loved movies, take him or her to an outdoor film showing in your community. Alternatively, ask your loved one to try out a new restaurant or visit a park that’s been renovated. Your loved one will encounter new people during your adventure and may even find a new favorite place to visit. 

Elderly home care agencies can be a great boon to seniors. With the help of the caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, your aging loved one can lead a happier and healthier life. Our caregivers encourage seniors to eat nutritious foods, exercise and socialize regularly, and focus on other lifestyle factors that increase life expectancy.

 

3. Ask Them to Be Teachers or Mentors

Many adults get their socialization needs met at work, and this becomes an issue after retirement. If your loved one has become a homebody since retiring, suggest returning to the workforce as a volunteer or mentor. Being able to choose when to help is important for helping your loved one stay relaxed, but he or she may also find engaging with people in a workplace or charitable organization provides the chance to make new friends. 

 

4. Invite Them to Join in Conversations

Seniors sometimes get overlooked at group events where younger people may be so caught up in the excitement that they don’t notice a quieter senior. Your loved one may also feel awkward about memory loss when trying to speak. Include your loved one in conversations when you notice him or her sitting alone. 

 

5. Play Matchmaker

Your best friend may also have a senior parent who is lonely. Alternatively, your loved one may need a caregiver to help at home, and hiring a professional senior care companion is the perfect way to meet a variety of your parent’s needs. Be willing to make a few arrangements to help your loved one meet new people to spend time with each day. 

For families living in Arlington, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.

 

6. Develop Their Hobbies & Interests

Look for people with whom your parent has something in common. Help your loved one find groups of people who engage in the same hobbies your parent does. Whether it’s joining a book club or attending a woodworking class, your loved one will have a reason to spend time with like-minded people on a regular basis. 

If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Arlington families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. To learn about our premier in-home care options, give us a call today.