Older Americans Month was established back in 1963 as a way to honor older Americans for their contributions to their families and communities. The theme of Older Americans Month in 2023 is “Aging Unbound.” Your dad loves the idea of aging his way. One thing that’s important to him is getting to spend time with family as much as possible. Here are five ways, including elder care, to ensure that the time you spend together is quality time.
Limit Gatherings to Keep Your Mom Comfortable
As your dad gets older, he may not appreciate large gatherings. If he has a chronic health issue like Alzheimer’s, larger gatherings raise anxiety and fear. Keep any family gatherings to a size that makes him comfortable.
Plan Stress-Free Outings
Your dad may enjoy a change of scenery. Instead of the family gathering at his home, take your dad to a local park for a picnic. Everyone who is coming can bring a different item, such as salads, sandwiches, beverages, chips, and crudites.
With the food taken care of, all your dad has to do is enjoy spending time with his kids, grandkids, and other family members. It’s a relaxed day out where conversation and games provide plenty of fun.
Have Everyone Bring a Different Dish
Don’t lose time with your family as you prepare a meal or snacks in the kitchen. If everyone brings a dish, no one has to be tucked into the kitchen and away from everyone else. Plus, it helps spread out the food costs associated with a family gathering. Your dad isn’t feeling obligated to feed everyone on his retirement budget.
Bring Games For All Ages
Instead of separating the adults from the children on a game night, bring games that are fun for all ages. Apples to Apples is a game that is a lot of fun and can be suitable for kids and adults. You could also play games like Pictionary or Charades as long as you stick to books, movies, and objects that children would easily know.
Eliminate Spending Time on Routine Chores
Do you find that the days with your dad are spent helping him clean his home, do the laundry, and catch up on yard work? Lighten that load by having elder care aides do her housework and laundry during the week.
That just leaves any yard work that needs to be done. If your dad has the budget for a local landscaping company, you could eliminate that task, too. He might find a local high school student looking for odd jobs or volunteer opportunities that count towards a community service requirement.
When you’re not available due to your work schedule, obligations at your children’s school, or other plans, who spends time with your dad? Elder care aides are a fantastic solution during the week. Talk to a specialist in elder care to discuss the ways elder care aides support your dad as he ages at home.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Elder Care in Litchfield Park, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Blessings for Seniors Companion Care at (623) 594-0819.
Blessings for Seniors makes it possible for older adults to enjoy the comforts of their own home for as long as possible. We offer a customized care plan that includes services such as; Hourly Senior Home Care, 24-Hour Home Care, Dementia Care, Personal Care and Companion Care. Also ask us about our Veterans’ Home Care program.
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