Once they retired and started staying home, your parents embraced their relaxed lifestyle. But, they also found their social circle changing as neighbors and family friends moved to warmer climates. As the years passed, you found your parents engaging less with those around them.
As their health and mobility changed, they began to rely on you for social activities and trips outside the home. You need them to become more engaged, even though their mobility has changed. What technology can help with engagement? How can home care help your senior stay engaged both at home and out and about? Here are a few tips.
Home Computers
A home computer opens the doors to stay engaged, even if your parents can’t leave the house. They can chat with friends, play games, or join a virtual support group. There are virtual book clubs to help your parents stay engaged.
Your parents can also use their computers to volunteer. Some non-profits look for people to transcribe old letters and documents online. The Smithsonian Institute is one of many options.
Take your parents on a tour of a museum without leaving home. Many zoos and museums set up virtual tours during the pandemic. They’re so popular many of these attractions left them up.
Another option is to sign your parents up for free online classes. They can learn something new and have a chance to socialize with other students. Sites like AARP, Coursera, and EDX are filled with online courses.
Smart Displays or Speakers
A smart speaker or display is an excellent tool for staying engaged. Your parents can use their smart speaker to play games by themselves or with others. They can ask their speaker to find a recipe, help them find a movie to watch, play music, or control the lights in every room in the house.
They can use a smart display to video chat with family members. With a simple voice command, your parents can reach you. You can use the smart display to connect with them and make sure they are active.
Tablets
Android and iOS tablets are ideal for helping your parents stay engaged. If they can use a simple tablet, they can use it to video chat with other family members through services like Google Chat or Zoom. They can play games, read books, and watch movies and shows.
Use tablets to play social games together. Words With Friends and Yahtzee are two of many social games you can play with your parents. Take turns and try to outscore the other.
Install a language app like Duolingo and learn a foreign language. Your parents could accomplish a live-long dream of learning to speak another language.
There’s a better way to help your parents connect and engage with others. Companionship is one of the many benefits of home care services. Home care provides the companionship your parents need, plus assistance with meal preparation, ambulatory help, light housekeeping and more.
If you are considering home care in Houston, TX, for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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