Being a family caregiver for your elderly parent might make you think that your role is all about helping your parent handle tasks and activities that they can’t do on their own. This, however, is not your most important focus. Your biggest responsibility is to help your senior live the highest quality of life possible and that often means encouraging them to change up their routine and seek out ways that they can enhance their life and even make a difference in the community around them.
August is Boomers Making a Difference Month. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about the exceptional benefits that volunteering can offer to your elderly loved one as they age in place. A recent study showed that nearly 19 million adults over the age of 55 volunteer regularly, and getting your parent involved in activities that are meaningful to them and beneficial to the world around them can be an incredible enhancement to their life and their health and well-being.
Some of the benefits of volunteering for your senior parent include:
• Boosted activity levels. Volunteering is an exceptional well to increase your parent’s activity levels. Whatever types of activities that your parent chooses, volunteering encourages them to stay physically and mentally active, supporting their health and well-being.
• Reduced risk of depression. Research shows that seniors who volunteer are less likely to experience depression, and if they are experiencing depression they will have a shorter course of the issue, helping them to recover faster.
• Connecting generations. Volunteering is a chance to support connection between generations. This helps your parent feel more relevant and increases social engagement for better mental and emotional health.
• Giving sense of importance. Many elderly adults feel as though they are no longer important or that they cannot benefit anyone any longer, especially if they are struggling with limitations or challenges. Volunteering allows your parent to feel important, invested, and meaningful in the world around them. This reduces the chances of mental health decline and can support your parent’s motivation and efforts to care for themselves as they age.
If you have been looking for ways to enhance your elderly parent’s quality of life, boost their mental and emotional health, and help them maintain the lifestyle that they desire and deserve as they age in place, starting senior care for them might be the ideal option. A senior home care services provider can be there with your elderly loved one on a fully customized schedule to ensure that they get all of the care, support, assistance, and encouragement that they need while also keeping you at the forefront of their care routine. The highly personalized care services designed specifically for your loved one are tailored to helping your parent address their individual needs, challenges, and limitations in the way that is right for them. This care can help your parent to stay healthy, safe, and comfortable while supporting a lifestyle that is as independent, active, and fulfilling as possible as they age in place.
https://seniorcommunity.org/five-benefits-volunteering-retirement/
https://www.nationalservice.gov/pdf/healthbenefits_factsheet.pdf
If you or an aging senior are considering hiring in-home senior care in Denton, TX, please contact the caring staff at Ray of Sunshine today! (940) 442-5374.
At the same time, she and her husband were faced with the care of his father on the west coast which presented the unique challenges of long-distance care. These events led to a crash course in the senior care industry and her unending dedication to helping seniors and families in similar circumstances. When not working Cynthia enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling with a focus on visiting State and National Parks.
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