Studies show that loneliness is one of the greatest fears people have as they grow older. A significant number of people older than 75 feel lonely and cut off from their social circles. Many go for a month or longer without speaking to a family member, friend, or neighbor.
So, here are some ways to entertain a 90-year old and help them cope with loneliness.
Read books and magazines to a 90-year old.
Reading is an excellent activity for seniors. If a person cannot read on their own, designate a particular time of the day to read for them. Also, consider providing audiobooks, and listen to them together. Reading books, e-books, stories, or magazines is an excellent way to spend time and keep a person’s brain active. Reading is also a great tool to improve mood, reduce stress, delay cognitive decline and dementia, and boost memory.
Look at the photographs together.
Find old family albums and ask the seniors to talk about their memories and life history. Reminiscing can have many benefits for an aging adult. Studies show that evoking memories can improve well-being, promote physical health, reduce symptoms of depression, reduce stress, eliminate feelings of boredom and loneliness, and preserve family history.
These memories can also help seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s reduce agitation and improve mood. Seeing familiar faces and places may trigger memories and stories that have been long forgotten and may provoke an excellent communication with a 90-yer old.
Play Music that a 90-year old enjoys.
Music can bring back positive memories and alleviate anxiety in the elderly with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Research shows that personally meaningful music activates and awakens the brain, triggering powerful emotional memories, improving attention, and the feeling of composure.
Take a 90-year old for lunch.
When you have got free time, take a 90-year old out for lunch. This is a great way to show the elderly person how much they mean to you and stay involved in their lives.
Encourage a 90-year old to connect with nature.
Spending time in nature has numerous physical benefits. Physical activity contributes to a better quality of life as we get older. Spending time outside can relieve pain, improve memory, and help with sleep problems in the elderly. Also, time spent in nature has therapeutic effects on mental health and wellness, as it helps alleviate depression, reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and improve mood.
All I do is lay around two years full of tears from looking at your face on the wall Just a week ago you were my baby Now I don’t even know you at all I don’t know you at all
