When an aging parent suddenly loses some or all of their mobility, it can be hard on them as well as their children and family. Your mother or father needs your love now more than ever, and if you don’t know exactly how to help, keep reading. You’re in the right place for tips on helping a senior who has mobility issues. Sometimes family outings or other planned activities and traditions will not be possible for your parent anymore. This can create unnecessary stress and tension between family members. In order to eliminate that, senior care services can help. You just need to find out how to have fun with your parent and focus on what they still can do, rather than dwelling on what they can’t do.

Top 5 Fun Things to do with Your Senior Parent

Here is the answer to your problem. A list of activities both you and your elderly loved one will enjoy that will bring you closer together. In fact, most of these also have physical and mental health benefits, as well.

1. Go to a local theatre production. If you aren’t a regular theatre-goer, you might not realize how active your community is in putting on plays. There are likely more events than you know of, and at least some of them would be of interest to you and your aging parent. The Chamber of Commerce in your city can provide you with the information you need. Even high school plays and choirs are a blast and inexpensive.
2. Visit a museum or science center. For someone in a wheelchair, this is the perfect way to get out and have fun. Learning new things will exercise their mind and keep them from getting dementia.
3. Take them shopping. It’s sadly too common for mobility challenged seniors to stay indoors too much and become depressed. They still need social and visual stimulation like everybody else. Make sure you go to a mall or shopping center with a goal in mind so they don’t get too overwhelmed.
4. Encourage reading. This is something all seniors should be doing. It’s a great way to learn and stay on top of current events. They may even like going to a book signing at a local café or bookstore.
5. Join a book club. Another way for reading seniors to have fun is adding a social aspect to it. A book club lets them interact with other seniors, share opinions and participate in meaningful discussions.

As you now know, there are still many engaging and enjoyable things you can do with your parent. Just because they may be in a wheelchair or walk with a cane doesn’t mean their life is over – and neither is yours. With some creativity, you can make these days just as or even more fun than when they could walk better.