How Do You Stop Your Parent From Spending Too Much Time in Front of the TV or Computer?
Between 2013 and 2017, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that people 65 or older spent an average of 4.2 hours per day watching TV. That’s just TV. Pew Research found that 7 out of 10 seniors have internet service at home. Another 5 out of 10 have smartphones.
Elderly Care Ashburn VA – How Do You Stop Your Parent From Spending Too Much Time in Front of the TV or Computer?If your mom or dad are watching TV and spending a lot of time online or on a phone, it could be a problem. They need 30 minutes of moderate activity each day. Are they getting that much? How can you get them to walk away from the screen and increase physical activity?
Look for Unique Activities
A walk around the neighborhood may sound dull to your mom and dad. Pick a unique activity that they’ve never tried. If it sounds appealing and it’s new to them, it could entice them to leave the house.
Frisbee golf is an activity that gets older people outside, walking around a course, and enjoying a sport that isn’t too hard to play. If they can throw a frisbee, they shouldn’t have a hard time with frisbee golf. If this doesn’t work, you could try miniature golf instead.
You could try other activities like orienteering, metal detecting, and beachcombing. They’ll get exercise walking around outside in the sun and fresh air.
Scale Down Services
If they have less to watch, they may be more tempted to get outside. Scale down their services to save money. If they have a package with every channel possible, trim the budget down to the basics. Instead of paying extra for the fastest internet, drop to a lower package where websites may take a little longer to load.
By pushing these changes as a way to save money, you may find they’re willing to go along. They’ll get out more and save money at the same time.
Do They Get to Socialize?
Are your parents using social media online as a key form of socialization? If there’s a chance they’re lonely, trips to the local senior center can help. If they don’t drive, it doesn’t matter. Hire elderly care aides to drive them to the senior center, area stores, and appointments.
Elderly care services aren’t hard to arrange. Make a call, discuss your parents’ needs, and let the specialist walk you through the rest. They’ll gain a friend and have more opportunities to get out and have fun.
Sources: https://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-7/television-capturing-americas-attention.htm