Tips for Creating a Reading Group with Your Senior
Starting and participating in a reading group with your elderly parent can be a fantastic way to not only support better mental and emotional health for your aging parent but also for you to learn more about your senior and start building a stronger and closer relationship.
Homecare in Bayside NY: Senior Reading Group
Use these tips to create a beneficial and enjoyable reading group with your senior:
• Invite members. Start by building your group. Think of friends, family members, and even neighbors who may like to get together regularly and talk about books. You do not need a large number of members, and can even hold your “group” with just you and your aging parent if necessary.
• Choose a book. Think about the types of books that would interest the members of the group and work together to select one that everyone would enjoy. Consider consulting the local library. Many offer book club “kits” that feature several copies of a book along with discussion guides and other materials for your meetings.
• Host a fun meeting. Think of your meeting not just as a time to talk about books, but also an opportunity to spend time with others, relax, and have fun. Serve refreshments that are themed to the book, or make preparations easy by making it a potluck. Think of an activity to do together that goes beyond the conversation or that involves what you’ve learned in the book.
• Continue the conversation. You and your parent can continue to enjoy the benefits of your reading group well after the meetings. Talk to your senior about the book and their feelings. Bring up something they said during the meeting and build on it. Plan activities or outings that involve what you’ve read and make memories together.
How can homecare services help?
Being a family caregiver for an elderly adult is challenging, but elderly care can make a tremendous difference in your parent’s quality of life, and your own experience as their caregiver. An elderly home care services provider can be with your parent on a fully customized schedule to ensure that they get all of the care that they need, while also supporting independence and keeping you at the forefront of their care routine.
Through a highly personalized set of services, this care provider can help your parent to stay safe, healthy, comfortable, and happy while encouraging greater independence, activity, and engagement as they age in place. Planning and participating in activities that stimulate your parent’s mind and encourage social interaction, as well as offering companionship and support, are valuable services that can support your parent’s mental and emotional health for better well-being as they age in place.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering homecare in Bayside, NY, please contact the caring staff at Family First Home Companions.
Serving all of Long Island. Call today: (631) 319-3961
Jennifer has specialized training in Alzheimer’s disease through the Long Island Alzheimer’s Association and the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation.She also volunteered her time with the Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Center of Long Island for 3 years by providing cognitive stimulation to an Alzheimer’s patient group.
Jennifer educates the community about elder care and speaks to caregiver support groups, senior centers, and at professional organizations.Topics include home safety, effective strategies for family caregiving, elder care planning, and awareness about elder abuse.
- Caregiver of the Month: Kathy - April 8, 2022
- Preventing Colds and Flu in Springtime - March 2, 2022
- Caregiver of The Month: Jacqueline B - February 21, 2022