How Home Care Providers Can Use Technology to Stimulate Your Aging Parents' Minds

Posted: 5/5/2015 8:54 AM by Interim HealthCare
Home Care by Interim HealthCare Can Help!
 
Stimulating your elderly parents' mind is an important part of keeping them active, healthy, and happy. Whether they cope with a condition such as Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, or just have less daily mental activity due to factors such as no longer driving or having less social engagement, stimulating your aging loved ones' minds boosts their mood, helps them ward off depression and loss of motivation, and supports greater long-term independence.

Though there are many ways your elderly parents' in home health care services provider can keep your parents' minds active and engaged on a daily basis, using technology offers tremendous versatility and enjoyment. Incorporating the use of technology for mental stimulation into your home care plan gives your parents a new world of activities and experiences whether they are restricted to their homes or are able to enjoy a greater level of activity outside of the home.

Meet with your parents' home care provider to discuss your loved ones' mental stimulation needs and create plans together to use a broad range of technology that can keep their minds active, stimulate creativity, and promote conversation and expression.

Some of the ways your aging parents' home care provider can integrate technology into their care activities on a regular basis include:

• Retro video games. Modern video games tend to be too complex and complicated for casual players, making them overwhelming, frustrating, and even frightening for seniors, particularly those who cope with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. Retro video games, however, have much simpler platforms and game play along with stimulating colors and easy-to-interpret graphics. Games such as Pac-Man, Frogger, and Tetris are fun and engaging while also challenging problem-solving skills, spatial relations, timing, and hand-eye coordination. Look for vintage consoles online or in collectible video game stores, or simply go online and find emulators that allow your parents to play these games right from a laptop or desktop computer.

• Geo-caching. Adventurous and physically active seniors can indulge their treasure-hunting desires with this community activity. Geo-cashing uses GPS technology to send participants on scavenger hunts throughout their area. By following clues and corresponding GPS instructions, you can find hidden treasures, notes, and points of interest. Take what you find and leave something behind for the next player, making your elderly parents part of a global phenomenon that will keep their minds sharp and give them a dose of physical activity.

• Internet Exploration. The Internet is an incredible resource for information and activities. Studies have shown that regular Internet exploration triggers centers in the brain, stimulating mental function, and possibly improving overall memory and cognitive capabilities. Encourage your elderly parents to choose a topic that interests them and work with their home care provider to research this topic. Make sure they understand safe Internet exploration practices, including using proper spyware protection, visiting only reputable sites, and never giving out their personal information.
 
If you are interested in finding more creative ways to stimulate your parents' minds and improve their mental function, get in touch with the elder care agency in your area. They can give you recommendations and help you create a home care plan that is right for your loved ones. 

If you have an aging loved one and are considering home care services, contact Interim HealthCare today.