Games and activities are anything but frivolous for seniors. They keep busy while also maintaining skills and abilities that they’ll need to stay independent and healthy as they get older. It’s often recommended that seniors have occupational therapy, especially those who want to continue living in their own homes as they get older. Occupational therapy is centered on movements and activities that help seniors maintain important abilities like spatial awareness, reasoning and thinking, manual dexterity, and balance. It can also help seniors prevent falls and keep their cognitive skills strong so that they can continue to live the way they way to live.
Crossword Puzzles And Word Games
Crossword puzzles and word games like Sudoku are fantastic for seniors. They are fun and also help seniors work on their cognitive and reasoning skills. Even though some word games are independent games, others can be played in a group setting or with an occupational therapy caregiver to make them more fun. Seniors can also continue doing these types of games on their own when they’re not at therapy for extra benefits.
Video Games
Most people think that video games are something primarily for younger adults but video games have some big benefits for seniors. They improve reasoning skills and help maintain hand/eye coordination and manual dexterity. Seniors need good manual dexterity so that they can do things like open cabinets and drawers, do the dishes, brush their teeth, and get dressed. Video games are a fun way for seniors to practice the movements they need for those essential tasks and keep joints from getting stiff and sore. There’s also a social component to video games that can help senior make friends even if they can’t leave their homes easily.
Matching And Memory Games
Matching and memory games are very good for all seniors, but they are essential for seniors who have been diagnosed with any type of dementia. If seniors start occupational therapy that includes matching and memory games as soon as they are diagnosed they may be able to slow down the progression of the disease by giving their cognitive skills a good workout. And seniors can keep playing matching and memory games as the disease progresses to try and lessen the symptoms that they are experiencing.
Tossing And Catching Games
Tossing a ball gently to other seniors or to in occupational therapy, playing games of cornhole where seniors toss a beanbag into a hole to win prizes, and other tossing and catching games are great for seniors. They help seniors maintain their ability to judge distance, space, and depth perception. It also helps seniors maintain their grip strength so that they can use their fingers and hands for things like lifting pots and pans, picking up clothes off the floor, or holding their dog’s leash when they go for a walk.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Occupational Therapy in Woodbridge, VA please contact the caring staff at Passion Home Health Solutions LLC today at. 703-462-9141
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