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March 13, 2019 by Kirk Brechbiel

8 Springtime Activities for People with Limited Mobility

For most people, warmer spring weather brings with it the opportunity to get outside and get active – enjoying activities like running, biking, and hiking. But for people with limited mobility, such activities bring challenges and limitations.

If you have an aging loved one with physical limitations, just know that there are still many springtime activities that can keep them active and bring joy to their lives – you just have to get creative! Take a look at some of our favorite springtime activities for people with limited mobility.

  1. Fresh Air and New Scenery

Among the biggest joys of spring is simply fresh air and new scenery. As the weather warms, this provides the opportunity to get outside – but it doesn’t have to take you far! For those with limited mobility, driving to a local park and finding a nearby bench will still offer the fresh air and new sights, without the demands of physically walking there. Another alternative is enjoying outdoor time on your own property by setting up chairs on your porch or in your backyard.

  1. Counting Wildlife

One activity that will let you enjoy nature, even if you can’t get outside, is counting wildlife. The best way to enjoy this activity is to install a bird feeder near a window. As your wildlife friends pay a visit each day, get to know them. Make note of the birds and squirrels who stop by, what they look like and possibly even give them their own names. Journaling this activity will give you a fun memory to look back on.

  1. Coloring Springtime Pictures

When spring showers hit, you’ll need some activities that can take place indoors – which is great for people with limited mobility. One of the biggest trends right now is adult coloring books. These coloring books feature beautiful, intricate images which you can then color with colored pencils. This season, look for springtime inspired coloring books that capture the beauty of nature, even if you’re stuck indoors.

  1. Flower Arranging

If your aging loved one is experiencing limited mobility and can’t get outdoors, offer to bring a small gift of spring to them. Grow and purchase a variety of flowers (loose, not in a bouquet) and as part of your visit, arrange these flowers in a vase. Work together, taking turns, to place a flower wherever you want it. The collaboration of styles will create a fond memory your loved one can enjoy for weeks to come.

  1. Visual Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are a great activity to get people up and moving, but for those with limited mobility, a visual scavenger hunt can be just as enjoyable. Help create a list of creative (even tricky!) items that you’re likely to see out the windows of your loved one’s home. Be specific, so instead of just “bird” say “Robin.” This will help to keep the activity lasting longer and will provide your loved one with someone to fill their time, and get them gazing outside, for hours.

  1. Spring Cookie Decorating

Are you looking for an activity that will also result in a delicious treat? Cookie decorating is the perfect idea! You can choose to bake your cookies in advance and bring them over, or make baking part of the activity. Then, enjoy slowly decorating each cookie with a variety of colors and elements that turns each one into a springtime masterpiece! Be sure to remember the coffee or tea, so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor together.

  1. Reading Together

This is another great activity for a rainy, spring day. Read together! Your loved one may do a lot of reading on his or her own, but how often do they get to share this joy with someone else? Take turns reading their favorite short story, or a chapter from a book aloud. This activity will create a wonderful memory and also stimulate them mentally.

  1. Spring Greeting Cards

As a final activity you may wish you try with an aging loved one with limited mobility, consider making spring greeting cards. Think of family, friends, or neighbors who may enjoy such a card and work together to create a unique springtime design on the front. Then, complete it with a sweet message from you both. Allow your loved one to sign, seal, and stamp the envelopes. Then place them in the mailbox.

What activity will you try with your aging loved one this spring? Or do you have another idea to share? Join in the conversation by leaving a comment!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: activities, aging adult, aging loved one, camp hill, caregiver, elderly, ella home care, harrisburg, hershey, home care, ideas, in home care, in home health care, lemoyne, mechanicsburg, PA, pennsylvania, professional caregiver, season, senior, senior activities, spring

December 17, 2018 by Kirk Brechbiel

The Best Winter Activities for the Whole Family

When the winter weather rolls in, it can be hard to find activities that are both fun and accessible to the whole family, especially if there are varying interests and physical abilities. However, you still have options! Take a look at a few of the many activities that could be a great option for your whole family to enjoy together this winter.

Family Baking Competition

Your family doesn’t have to be a bunch of professional bakers to have a little fun with a friendly winter baking competition. Keep things simple, or be daring with your recipe choice. No matter what you choose to bake, make everyone feel included by dividing up tasks according to ability. Regardless of how young or how old your bakers are, there is surely something they can help with! Best of all, the prize at the end is getting to enjoy some delicious treats with those you love.

Crafts for a Cause

There are endless crafts for all seasons, but particularly in winter you have the opportunity to make these crafts for a specific cause. Every member of the family can partake in activities like making holiday greeting cards for soldiers overseas, or to give to friends and neighbors. You can also buy and assemble personal hygiene kits to donate to your local mission. Working together to create something as a family is a great memory, combined with the fact that you’re helping others, makes it an exceptional winter activity.

Wildlife Watching

Many people enjoy simply looking out the winter and taking in the scenic views of winter and the wildlife it brings. But to make this activity fun for all ages and abilities, you can take this one step further by turning it into a game. Create BINGO cards that have spaces for common things you’re likely to see outside, like deer, rabbits or sled riders. Whoever sees an item first, gets to mark it off on their card. This adds a little competition and fun to an otherwise relaxing and peaceful activity that the whole family can enjoy.

Game Night

An organized night of board games is a great activity especially when the weather isn’t conducive to getting outside. Try hosting this activity at the house of an aging loved one who needs a little company. Bring some snacks and games and spend the evening around the kitchen table. The games will serve as the ice breaker, and before long you’ll find yourself deep in conversation with one another!

Christmas Lights Sight Seeing

Load the family in a car (or two) and explore your local neighborhoods in search of the best Christmas lights. Be sure to play Christmas carols in the car – or sing your own! This is a great activity for the whole family because it doesn’t require any walking and yet you still get to see new things and take in some fresh views.

Holiday Movie Marathon

Finally, you might consider hosting a holiday movie marathon this winter. This is another great activity for all ages and abilities because all you need to do is get comfortable and enjoy! Choose a selection of movies from various eras to please everyone. And don’t forget the snacks!

Are you struggling to think of some fun winter activities to please the various generations within your family? We hope these ideas will help to spark some inspiration!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: activities, baking, christmas, cold, crafts, ella home care, family, family time, fun, games, holidays, multigenerational, season, things to do, winter

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