 | Shanna Parrish-Taylor is the Director of Nursing at Vintage Place Assisted Living. She is a RN with 9 years long term care experience, experience in critical care as well as hospice setting. Shanna is currently working on her master’s degree towards obtaining her ANRP. For more information on Shanna or Vintage Place please call 620-231-4554.
|
Senior Living
2013-03-25 16:20:07
What are some ways to keep the elderly busy?
Q-I am looking for ways to help my great aunt stay busy and keep her mind sharp. She lives in an assisted living facility but is really not very social and does not get out much because of her power chair. She used to enjoy reading but has since given it up because even large print books are too small to read.
A-I have two suggestions. First, even if your Aunt is not social, encourage her to join interest groups where she can be around others who enjoy some of the same things she does, whether it is art, music, sewing or anything else. While she may not be inclined to social situations, having a built-in topic of interest can make a huge difference in building relationships.
Second, I would help find alternatives to what she once enjoyed. For example, you mentioned she enjoys reading but the print is too small. An eReader or tablet may be an excellent solution for her. On many of them you can increase the size of the type to as large as you like. I would suggest getting one of the larger screens however to help accommodate more of the page on the screen at one time. They are very easy to use, and if you spend a little time helping her she will get the hang of it in no time! Of course you may want to take on the job of keeping the device filled with books, but the joy it would bring her would be well worth any effort.
If she once enjoyed other activities, ask the staff if they know of any alternative activities or ways to make what she enjoys possible again.
Good luck, and best wishes.
