Life Enrichment Ideas for Your Senior Patients

As a home health aide, you want to give the best possible care. And this means assisting with physical as well as mental and social needs. So, how can you help you clients become more active and engaged? Here are 7 life enrichment ideas for your senior patients.

 

Top Life Enrichment Ideas for Your Senior Patients

  1. Listen to Music

    Find out your client’s preferred type of music, and chill, jam, or sing and dance to their favorite tunes. Music can be a wonderful way to connect with your patients. Ask, “Why do you like this artist?” or “Does this song bring back memories?” Plus, research suggests music is particularly beneficial for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

  2. Craft

    Creating something with your own hands is both calming and empowering. Discover what your client enjoys. It may be anything from coloring to knitting to woodworking. Then, get creative. If you’re not sure where to start, most craft stores offer simple, inexpensive, pre-packaged options. For some extra fun, consider matching the activity to an upcoming holiday.

  3. Go Outside

    Spending time outdoors relieves stress, improves short-term memory, reduces inflammation, and more. Even in cooler temperatures, a quick outdoor adventure can re-energize both you and your patient. Try taking a stroll to a local park, eating lunch in the backyard, or caring for a few potted plants on the front steps.

  4. Play a Game

    Games can be both entertaining and mentally stimulating. Again, find out what your patients enjoy. Board games? Video games? Playing cards? Or simple lawn games like cornhole? In many cases, your client probably has all the supplies on hand.

  5. Solve a Puzzle

    Puzzles are another fun activity that you and your client can work on together. Crossword puzzles, word searches or jigsaw puzzles are all possibilities. On the other hand, if you like to go high-tech, check out these 25 free puzzle apps.

  6. Learn Something New

    You’re never too old to learn something new. Challenge your patient to try something they’ve never done before. Many senior centers, craft stores, and libraries offer free classes. Plus, there’s always YouTube. Or, if you’re up for the challenge, tackle a teaching role. For example, you could show your client how to knit (or they could show you).

  7. Attend an Event

    Especially if your patient lives alone, they may miss being around other people. If it’s OK with your client and your client’s family, plan an outing. Many senior centers provide regular events like breakfasts and presentations. When the weather is nice, you may even be able to walk to a local game, concert, or artisan fair.

 

Would You Like to Enrich the Lives of Senior Patients?

Anodyne Staffing is hiring dedicated caregivers, home health aides (HHAs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) for positions in Hyannis, Massachusetts, and beyond. We offer weekly paychecks, ongoing training, flexible scheduling, and more. Browse all our available openings and discover your next enriching career opportunity today!