Activities to Enjoy with Your Loved One
Taking care of a loved one as they begin to near the end of their days can be filled with many joys and challenges. There will be times when a caregiver struggles to come up with memorable and engaging activities for their loved one to participate in.
When facing a terminal illness, your loved one might feel as though they are losing their independence when they lose their capability to participate in and perform tasks that they used to be able to. Tasks like these may include anything from completing chores at home to going out for a meal with family and friends. Caregivers are privileged to help fill that void and enrich their loved one’s life by assisting them in enjoying a variety of activities and tasks. In this article, we’ll go over a few simple ways that you can spend quality time with your loved one this winter.
It is important that your loved one focuses on engaging their mind, body, and soul on a regular basis. The following ideas can be easily implemented into a daily routine. Try these activities with your loved one to bring an added awareness and relaxation to their life.
Mind Exercises
Take it back to the days of you and your loved one’s childhood and get outside to do some cloud-watching. Lay on a blanket and tilt your head up, breathing in deeply, just relax and admire the beauty in the sky. It’s okay to take the time to treat your loved one by doing at least one thing every day that makes them happy. Another great exercise is meditation. Spend one minute focusing on your thoughts and your breathing so that you can bring awareness to the present moment and cherish it as long as it lasts.
Bodily Exercises
Whether it’s a cold or sunny day, take 15 minutes to help your loved one move their body and increase blood flow to the extent that they are physically able. Exert some energy by walking outside into the sunshine or doing stretches. If this is too much, you can enjoy sitting and talking on the patio, or venturing to the car for a relaxing drive and admire the local landscape. Or maybe while you’re on the road or walking, challenge yourselves to a beauty scavenger hunt and discover 3-5 things that you find beautiful. When you’ve finished up, you can settle your loved one down for a quick nap. During sleep, the body is able to restore itself and refresh for whatever else the day has in store.
Exercise for the Soul
Don’t forget to keep the atmosphere as light as possible and enjoy a good belly laugh. If you or your loved one is fond of music, put on their favorite CD and listen for a while. You can even help them put on their dancing shoes if they feel up to it! In the mornings, help your loved one write out their thoughts in a journal and spend a few moments in gratitude by listing the things they are grateful for. Also, try writing about the things that may be bothering them and then take a few minutes to let them go.
We’d like you to keep in mind that these are only a few suggested activities that may or may not be suitable for your loved one. Abilities and personalities differ from person to person. Invest in your loved and encourage a renewed sense of independence, and confidence. Take time to interact and show your loved one you care.
About Crown Hospice
Crown Hospice offers intensive comfort and care to alleviate suffering and enhance the quality of life for clients with life-limiting illnesses. They help address the medical, emotional, and grief needs of clients and their families. For more information, contact us today.