Help your Parents By Mike Cooper

This Sunday is Parents’ Day. Some of you may have heard of it, others may not. It was established in 1994 when President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional Resolution into law for “recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children.”

Around Father’s Day I talked about what I learned from my dad and the values I hope I have instilled into my kids (see https://www.napervilleseniorcenter.com/top-3-lessons-i-learned-from-my-dad/ and https://www.napervilleseniorcenter.com/top-3-lessons-i-hope-i-taught-my-kids/). So as I think about this day, I want to share 3 things that we can do to help our parents as they age. Sometimes its the simple little things that help your parents more than anything.

Below are a few suggestions for simple ways to help your parents

• Walk together. It’s as simple as that. Your parent might only be able to walk from one side of the house to the other without being winded. If so, walk with them around the house. On a nice summer’s day, you might take a walk with them in front of their house, condo or wherever they live. If they can handle it, try to walk a little further with them as time goes on; increasing their endurance. While you’re walking, let your parent tell you about something going on with them, how they’re feeling or just tell a story about past.

Getting a little exercise is not only good for the body, but it also helps the brain. And the communication is a great way to help your parent socialize.

• Work on a puzzle together. Think puzzles are for kids? Think again! There are beautiful puzzles that can be for all ages. And you can unplug for this activity; you don’t need any cords, batteries or power, just a flat surface. You can still let your parent tell you about their day or about the ‘good ol’ days.’

This activity will help your aging parent’s brain activity since they have to focus on fitting the right puzzle pieces together. Your parent will also be able to work on hand dexterity from picking up the puzzle pieces and putting them in the right place. Finally, the communication is still a great socialization mechanism for them.

If their eyesight makes it impossible to work on a puzzle, complete a crossword puzzle together. Guessing at the answers together can make for some funny moments.

• Listen to music/sing songs together. Does your parent like classical, jazz, folk music or ‘the oldies?’ Whatever music they like to listen to, play it for them and let them sing or hum along. You might even get them to clap and tap their foot to the rhythm. Based on a variety of studies, music has been shown to boost brain activity for a variety of reasons including (but not limited to): evoking emotions that bring back memories; emotional and physical closeness (through dance); engaging the whole brain by listening to music (right brain) and singing along (left brain); and improving mood and reducing stress.

Such a simple activity, but there is so much benefit from it! Did I also mention ‘socialization?’ That is key here to help your parents too!

At Naperville Senior Center, we incorporate exercise, games and music into our daily activities with our Members. I’ve been known to pick up the trumpet for the “guess what song this is” activity! Contact us to get schedule a FREE 3-hour trial at our facility so you can see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, Home Away From Home.

Help your parents