Caregivers of Aging Parents and Children

How Children and Seniors Can Help Improve One Another’s Health

Jul 7, 2009

Flash Cards Can Help Improve Memory, Katrena Wells

These practical tips encourage elders and kids to interact in a meaningful way, which may improve the physical and mental health of the child and elder.

If you are caring for aging parents and small children, you are not alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2008 national population projections, nearly twenty percent of U.S. residents will be 65 and older while the number of people 85 and older is expected to triple by the year 2050. If you are providing care for people on both sides of the spectrum, perhaps you can incorporate some of these activities to encourage meaningful interactions between the generations to improve physical and mental health.

Blowing Bubbles

Blowing bubbles for little ones may help prevent lung problems such as atelectasis and pneumonia while providing entertainment and exercise.
A December 2003 article in Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal entitled “The immediate effects of deep breathing exercises on atelectasis and oxygenation after cardiac surgery” demonstrated significant decreases in atelectasis after deep breathing exercises.
Interestingly enough, the results of the above study were the same whether or not special equipment was used, so if it is raining or the elder is unable to go outside, playing an imaginary bubble game may be just as effective for lung health.
You may wish to offer a wide variety of bubble blowing devices, or you can explore science skills by developing your own devices with everything from fly swatters to hula hoops.
If the child is old enough to safely blow bubbles, you may want to turn the tables and have the elder pop nearby bubbles to increase range of motion.

Singing

“Sing Along for Health,” an article in the March 2007 Harvard Health Letter found that singing may boost spirits, increase immune function, and also provide better lung health similar to deep breathing exercises.
If the elder is suffering from aphasia, singing with others may produce quicker speech improvements according to a November 2006 New Scientist article “After a singalong words come easier.”
You may want to offer suggestions to get the singing started.
Do not despair if nobody remembers all the words. Humming and whistling can be fun too. You may be surprised how many song lyrics you can find by typing a few words into a search engine.
Add variety through musical accompaniment with your own collection of music, playing music on the computer, or checking out songs from your public library. Playing instruments, bought or homemade, can also increase hand-eye coordination and help with math concepts.
Hand motions, American Sign Language, or adding a few dance steps can add a challenging twist while encouraging increased range of motion and cardiovascular health.

Memory Games

Memory games can be quite simple to very complex.
Match games to the developmental needs of the child or memory needs of the adult while ensuring that this will be a fun activity for everyone. For example, if the child is learning shapes and colors, the elder can name a shape or color while the child closes her eyes and tries to name everything she can remember that fits that description. If the elder has fading memories, the child might hold up familiar objects or pictures for him to name or count.
Flash cards can be quite helpful with math, color, and language concepts and more. They can also be placed face down for matching or memory games. Some web sites offer free printables, which can keep things fresh, current, and challenging.
Card games, puzzles, mazes, search-a-words, and crossword puzzles can incorporate a variety of skills as well as a bit of friendly competition. Software and some web sites offer the ability to make your own custom-designed games. You may wish to design a crossword puzzle with different types of flowers or cars or make a search-a-word that incorporates vocabulary words from school lists.
Board games can also help with concentration and memory. Some board games are specially designed to help elders who are in certain stages of dementia.
Add unexpected challenges by playing the Let's Name Grandpa's Pills Game or I Can Name That Cartoon with Four Hints Game.
You may wish to establish rules early on to ensure that the focus remains positive.

Pen Pals

Even if the elder and child are living in the same home, establishing a pen pal relationship can be fun and educational for both, which can boost self-esteem and mental health.
The child who is learning how to write can put those skills to practical use, and the elder can offer valuable insight, wisdom, and history.
Children who are too young to read or write can benefit by drawing pictures or scribbling and having short letters or books read to them.
You may even help them to mail letters to each other while teaching the child about how to address a letter and how the postal service works.
Save stamp money by designing your own mailbox and stamps.
If the pen pals are struggling for ideas, suggest ideas such as hobbies, favorite foods or songs or games, best teachers, pets, most memorable weather, holidays, what I like about you, etc.
For computer-savvy sorts, perhaps the two can email back and forth, create a blog, or use other computer-based communication.

Encouraging Older and Younger Generations to Help Each Other

With a little imagination and a bit of pre-planning, caregivers of elders and children can encourage fun and meaningful interactions that may improve health and self-esteem for the elder and child. Most of these activities require little or no money, but the results can be priceless.

The information in this article is meant for informational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider if you have medical concerns.

The copyright of the article Caregivers of Aging Parents and Children in Seniors' Health/Medicare is owned by Katrena Wells. Permission to republish Caregivers of Aging Parents and Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.