Stimulating Your Parent’s Mind During National Bird Feeding Month
Senior Care in Des Plaines IL
February is National Bird Feeding Month. This is a fantastic opportunity to encourage your elderly parent to use this type of activity as a fun and entertaining way to stimulate their mind throughout their later years. Feeding the birds gives your senior a chance to learn more about the types of birds that live throughout their area and to stimulate their mind through creating feed for
the birds. Remembering to bring this feed to them regularly also helps to support better memory and critical thinking skills.
Use these tips to make feeding the birds a valuable and enjoyable element of your parent’s care routine during National Bird Feeding Month and throughout the rest of the year:
- Learn about the birds. Learning new things is a fantastic way to support stronger cognitive health. Encourage your parent to research the types of birds that are common in their area as each season of the year. This will not only allow them to know more about the birds that visit their home, but also what they eat. This way your parent can be sure to give them the type of feed that is right for their needs.
- Make their food. Particularly if your senior lives in a colder climate, February can still be a very cold month with the possibility of low temperatures and even snow and ice. This can make it very difficult for birds to find the food that they need to maintain their body temperature and their energy. Making suet for them is a way that your parent can ensure that they get the fat and calories that they need while also stimulating their mind and getting a sense of accomplishment and value to the world around them. Suet is simply a combination of fat, seeds, and grains. Try melting down lard, vegetable shortening, and peanut butter, and adding birdseed, oats, and cornmeal. Pack this mixture into a pan or other mold and allow to solidify before putting a piece or two outside each day.
- Watch the birds. Once your parent has put food out for the birds, feathered friends will come to enjoy the treat. Encourage your parent to sit and watch these birds. They can identify the type of birds that they see, watch how much they eat and what foods they seem to enjoy the most, and how they interact.
Starting elder care for your aging parent can be one of the most compassionate, meaningful, and nurturing decisions that you can make for them throughout the course of your caregiver journey. The highly personalized services of an elderly home care services provider are designed specifically for your elderly loved one’s individual needs, challenges, and limitations, as well as their personality, preferences, and goals. This means that they will be able to stay healthy, happy, comfortable, and safe, while also maintaining the lifestyle and quality of life that they desire and deserve moving forward. When it comes to keeping them active and engaged with outings and experiences, this care provider can help your parent select activities and events that fit in with your parent’s preferences, passions, and interests. They can then plan these activities, provide reliable and safe transportation, and support them as they engage in the activity in the way that is right for them. During National Bird Feeding Month, this care provider can help your parent research the birds, choose and prepare food, and feed the birds safely. This can not only give your parent the mental and emotional benefits and a sense of accomplishment, but can also support a stronger relationship between them.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Des Plaines, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.
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