It just isn’t good to be alone. Not only Seniors, but anyone living without human interaction gets lonely. A Senior living alone can be too much with their thoughts and memories. This could lead to a bit of confusion here and there, or even develop into depression. Meals and medications can be forgotten, and that only makes things worse.
Even if a Senior lives with their child’s family, where they are surrounded by loved ones during the evening, the daytime hours can hang heavily; it seems that everyone is busy living their lives except them.
Today’s seniors have lived through some exciting history. Now that time has slowed for them, they can begin to feel abandoned and unappreciated. They can find themselves either crying or angry without knowing quite why. They can find themselves unable to sleep, or sleeping too much.
It just isn’t right that they should feel this way, but what is the alternative? No one wants to see their Seniors go into some kind of care facility until it’s time. Even hiring in-home care for a few hours a day can turn out to not help the Senior, if they don’t like or trust the caregiver. Is there any alternative?
The good news is, yes, there is an alternative, and it’s called Adult Daycare. A Senior might not like the sound of that, but once they have heard and seen what it’s all about, they may change their minds.
Adult Daycare is a place where a Senior can find friends, activities, and fun. The Daycare can be run privately, or may work with community centers, senior centers, hospital districts, churches or synagogues. There will be a nutritious lunch and a snack to eat.
There will be activities and things to do that the Senior might have forgotten how much they enjoyed. They can watch the good old movies, reminisce; they can read the paper and discuss current events if they like. Some folks like to bring their pets to visit. Petting a cat or dog does good things for a Senior’s outlook. There will be friends to play cards or boardgames, and put puzzles together. Seniors used to do that a lot, before TV.
There will be fun activities to get the Seniors out of their chairs. Gentle stretching and easy exercising will benefit the body and the mind. Some Daycares even play games like softball or horseshoes. There can be dancing of all kinds. Singing the good old songs with others who love the songs as well can be a great pick-me-up.
The Seniors will get some sun and air. Some Daycares have garden plots where seniors can grow flowers and vegetables. Imagine how proud a Senior would be to contribute a fat, red tomato to the family’s dinner salad. These are the kind of things that take a Senior out of themselves. Fresh air, a little exercise, and some fun never hurt anyone!
Some Daycares take the Seniors on field trips. Art galleries, flower gardens, and elementary schools could be some of the destinations. The Seniors do pretty important work at the schools, because they can tell the kids about what it was like living a long time ago. This gives the kids a sense of history, and the Senior a sense of contributing; a good deal all around.
Look around and see which center fits the Senior. Talk to the administrators about costs and financial assistance if needed; it is available at some centers. A happier, healthier Senior can only be weeks away. The Senior will make congenial friends and begin to enjoy life once more.
