http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-boredom-busters-for-frail-seniors.html
10 “Boredom Busters” for Frail Seniors
By Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor
A while back, I used to make weekly visits to a friend in a nursing home. Her home was the basic “Medicaid Package” (many of the residents were low-income), not a horrible place, but simple, without frills like field-trips or a gym.
I’ll always remember the image of rows of residents in wheelchairs lining the halls. Some were asleep, others staring into space. A few would smile as I walked by, reaching a hand up for a squeeze. So this is old age, I thought: Sitting. I’d be lying if I didn’t say this gave me the creeps.
I know it’s not so simple. As body and mind lose strength, options for activities shrink. Some of these seniors were oblivious to their environment. Some may have been perfectly OK sitting in the halls watching the nursing home world go by.
But the problem of aging and boredom are well known, especially for the frail elderly. It affects people regardless of where they live, in nursing homes or their own homes. It’s a struggle for many caregivers. Boredom so easily melts into depression.
I’ve been collecting ideas on ways to help frail elders stay engaged, particularly activities that aren’t patronizing, or, better, that are dignifying. Here are ten:
1. Internet and e-mail access. An easy-on-the body way to socialize and stay informed. If you can swing it, buy the senior in your care her own computer. A laptop is great for portability and can be used in a bed or chair. (I confess I’m a fan of those inspirational poems or prayers e-mailed daily–little cyber-visitors. Do an Internet search on daily prayer or daily meditation to find something the person in your care might like.)
2. Pets. Research backs up what many people already know: Pets help prevent loneliness. Cats are easy to care for. Dogs take more work but can be amazingly social. Check with your local Humane Society for adoption programs for seniors. It’s also well-described in an article from the Humane Society of the United States. For those living in a nursing home, ask about visiting pet therapy programs.
3. Senior peer counseling. Available in some areas, these wonderful non-profit programs train seniors to help their peers with emotional issues. Home or phone sessions are usually options. To find local programs, do an internet search for senior peer counseling. Also check the website of the American Association of Senior Peer Counseling.
4. Life story writing. Many senior centers and adult education programs offer courses in senior life-history writing. If a senior isn’t mobile, try contacting a program’s instructor for home-based options. You can also try working with a senior at home. Start with a fresh, blank journal and comfortable pen. Or a computer, if preferred. Ask leading questions (see #5 below). It’s hard to write in a vacuum, so encourage the person you’re caring for to share her stories with you. For more guidance, read about how to create a legacy.
5. Verbal life stories or oral histories. If a senior isn’t up for writing, encourage him to tell you his life stories. Prompt with specifics like, “Tell me about your wedding, first job, first time away from home, memories of your grandparents, first boyfriend/girlfriend, favorite vacation.” Make this a regular weekly session, or more often if you have time. Invite other family members to do the same.
6. Seek advice or expertise. Everyone likes to be needed. Ask a senior for advice on something he’s good at and you need help with. For example, making a pie crust (this would be my own grandma), building a fence, growing tasty tomatoes, dealing with a parenting dilemma. One nice thing about wisdom is that it can be passed on from a bed or chair.
7. Wii or other video games. I’ve already written about the popularity of Wiis with seniors. Many video systems can be used while sitting or lying down and offer challenge, fun, and a fine motor workout. They can be played alone or with others.
8. Indoor gardens. You don’t need warm weather or even the outdoors to grow greenery. Flowers, herbs, and even vegetables can flourish indoors with the right lighting. Potted plants can be placed at chair or bed level. Use wheeled carts to help with accessibility. A quick Internet search on indoor gardening brings up all kinds of helpful information, from books to websites.
9. A personal “therapeutic” trainer. Not just for the buff or wealthy, some personal trainers specialize in working with frail seniors in their homes. Physical and occupational therapists also devise individual home-based exercise programs for seniors. It doesn’t need to be super costly–you can hire an expert to teach you how to work with the senior in your care. Ask a doctor for referrals.
10. Home-spun spa. There are all kinds of gentle, tender ways to pamper seniors at home, suited just for them. Some of my favorites: Brushing hair, soaking feet in a bowl of warm, soapy water, pressing a warm or cool cloth on a forehead, applying hand lotion, polishing fingernails or toenails.
Caring.com was created to help you care for your aging parents, grandparents, and other loved ones. As the leading destination for eldercare resources on the Internet, our mission is to give you the information and services you need to make better decisions, save time, and feel more supported. Caring.com provides the practical information, personal support, expert advice, and easy-to-use tools you need during this challenging time.
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15 comments
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Kabin
Konteyner
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What a wonderful article and such helpful comments. This will be great for my parents, aunts and uncles. I had been at a loss as to how to bring more enjoyment into their lives, to help them feel more alive and loved.
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Thanks you so much for all of the articles. I found them informative and helpful as I have relatives in aged care units and at home. I now have ideas on how to help.
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A ray of hope for those who have had bad experiences with, or ideas of, nursing homes. Nursing homes nationwide are undergoing a "cultural change" and becoming much more homelike. The one I work in implements all of the above suggestions except numbers 3 & 9, including healing touch and cats, birds, fish, and a dog who live in the facility. Our dietary department has a sous chef and I must say the food is wonderful...and I'm a picky eater. It is a slow process but it is happening and it is the best change that could happen to long term care facilities. Our elders are the center of the facility and they and their families have a very prominent voice in what goes on. I have worked in nursing homes for 20 years and I have seen a wonderful transformation taking place. If you are associated with one that still uses the medical model, try suggesting to the activity director or the administrator that they should check into the Eden Alternative model. I know this sounds like I'm pushing nursing home care but really we try to get people back home as much as possible or into a lesser care facility such as assisted living or adult homes if they can still function somewhat independently. There are still many horrible nursing homes out there and they need to be called to the carpet and make some changes. Our elderly population need to be recognized and respected and treated with dignity and love, not unneccesarily drugged and medicated to feel happy.
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It seems that what you describe is trying to make the nursing homes more like a home.
I also feel badly when I visit my mother in law and see the lines of those sleeping in their wheelchair and I think your ideas would make it a more friendly place.
Mary Nix
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Interesting ideas.
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Thank you for this list full of great ideas. Thanks to the commenters for the reading aloud, soaking hands, scrabble/card games, and Presto ideas too.
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How about reading aloud (books, short stories, newspapers, magazines etc). Some seniors get tired very fast when reading on their own.
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Some good ideas. Practically speaking, the plants would not be very welcome in most rooms due to usual space limitations, insect considerations, watering needs (and leaking pots) etc. I used to "garden" for some elderly friends and relatives, and catch them up on the news while I picked off dead leaves, etc. Scrabble or cards was popular for some. For the really sick/infirm, a very gentle hair brushing is wonderful. Healing touch like Reiki. What most loved was me soaking their hands in warm water to which I added some epson salts and lavender.
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I try to help all my friends stay healthy so they don't end up in a nursing home. I tell them also if they feel they can't be alone and could use some activities to check out cruise ships and start taking cruises since many are cheaper than a $9,000.00 per month nursing home. Think of all the fun you can have on those cruise ships along with great service AND great foods and meeting many great people. When I had to place my father in a nursing home, due to having thrown my back out while helping him up one time, I found out the food was horrible that they provide. Plus they keep many of the patients druged in bed most of the time. This is not what I wanted at all plus they were charging for doctor visits and my father said he hadn't seen a doctor in months.. So try to keep your loved ones out of nursing homes and show them the love that they gave you over the years!!!
Rod Stoeckel
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