If your once-active parent is now homebound due to an illness, injury or other long-term condition, it is essential to keep them as active as possible. Studies show that inactivity can hasten the side effects of aging at a more accelerated rate, so keeping your parent occupied will help to improve their quality of life.

Finding the right way to stay engaged will depend on your parent’s individual needs, abilities and interests. One way to stay sharp is to try a completely new task if they’re able, as new challenges can spark the brain’s learning center and fire up neurons that haven’t been used in a while. Brain games like Sudoku, crossword puzzles and word searches are popular and easy to do while in bed or on the couch. Try downloading a game like Words With Friends to their tablet or smartphone, as playing against an opponent keeps them competitive in a healthy way. Board games are another fun way to keep that spirit alive, as are more challenging games like chess or Backgammon.

Keeping your loved one’s hands as nimble as their brain is also important. Jigsaw puzzles, needlepoint or doing tactile art projects such as painting or working with clay are often used as therapy.

Lean into your loved one’s favorite hobbies, even if you have to modify them a bit. If they were once the outdoorsy type, find a way to recreate that at home with a small and accessible garden. If they were more into crafts, set them up in their own little studio well-stocked with their favorite items. Encourage parents who always loved to cook to write down their favorite recipes to collect in a cookbook they can pass down to other family members. The key is to make them feel connected to their old lives as much as possible and foster positivity in their daily activities.

Obviously, television can provide plenty of entertainment and education, but be careful to not let it become the only source for them. When your parent is watching, make sure it’s always something that will keep them in a good mood. Steer them away from watching the news for too long, and make sure their home library is full of films and TV shows they most enjoy.

The internet can also open up a senior’s homebound life in a myriad of ways. Some seniors may be hesitant to try it, as the vastness of the web can seem overwhelming. But with boundless content to pique anyone’s interest, helping your parent navigate a few interesting sites and then bookmarking them will be a way to expand their world a little bit.

Thanks to programs like Skype and FaceTime, no one truly has to be alone anymore. Schedule regular chats with your parent, and make sure their friends and family members are aware they’re online. Giving your parent that sense of community will be helpful in making sure they never feel alone or isolated.

There is also always the option of hiring a home caregiver to visit regularly. With Greystone Personal Care, a dedicated caregiver will spend time with your loved one right in their home, for as many or few hours a week as you need. They’ll help with personal hygiene, light housekeeping, transportation, cooking, medication management, general companionship and more. We at Greystone are passionate about providing the highest level of compassionate care to all of our patients.