Benefits of Activities for Seniors: Decrease Depression and Anxiety

Add a structured activity program into a senior's life
to reduce or limit anxiety and depression. 

Most people have feelings of anxiety or feel depressed at times. Facing difficult and stressful situations can lead to sadness, nervousness and anxiety, and are normal reactions to these situations. Depression and anxiety are classified as disorders when they are experienced frequently (daily or near daily), when they occur for no apparent reason, or when the feelings are out of proportion to the causal stressor. 

Depression and anxiety are two inter-related issues that are sadly all too prevalent in our society - especially amongst seniors. It is not uncommon for someone to experience both conditions at the same time. Loss of loved ones, loss of mobility, physical ailments, financial worries – any number and combination of these factors can cause stress and all can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.

There are fortunately many ways to combat these issues: with medicine, therapy, lifestyle changes and with Integrative Therapies in which multiple strategies are employed in a “holistic” approach to treatment. You can find more information on depression, anxiety and treatment approaches by clicking here or here.

Adding a structured activity program into a senior’s life can be a great first step in reducing or limiting anxiety and depression. When designing the program, strive for “failure free” activities. These activities that ensure success are a great way of increasing feelings of self-worth, thus combatting stressors such as a changing lifestyle, loss of mobility or ability to perform certain tasks. Keep your activity program structured from a scheduling standpoint. Try to build the program into a senior’s routine – this will maximize the benefits.

This and many other topics related to the importance of activities for seniors, are explored in R.O.S. Therapy Systems’ new book “Activities 101 for the Family Caregiver” – a handy guide based on the principles and approaches used in the training of activity professionals in long term care settings. Click here for more information.

About R.O.S Therapy Systems: R.O.S. Therapy Systems manufactures and sells the R.O.S. Play Therapy™ System. This unique no-batteries-required game and activity system was designed to allow seniors to continue to enjoy the games and activities they used to. Whether the activities are for those with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke or any number of conditions resulting in physical or cognitive impairment; the R.O.S. Play Therapy Game and Activity System was designed to allow people with impaired ability to engage in activities and games more easily – enhancing the well-being of both the subject and the caregiver. For more information, contact us at 888-352-9788. R.O.S. Therapy Systems was founded by Scott Silknitter of Greensboro, NC in 2010. Visit www.rostherapysystems.com to learn more.

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About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visithttp://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.

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