Activities and games that keep the mind active

Games such as jigsaws, cards, chess and quizzes, puzzle books, reading and audiobooks, and crafts such as knitting or painting all give the mind something to work on. Company matters as much as any of these on its own, so pair an activity with a visit, a call or a group where you can. Activities to do in later life has a fuller list for a parent who is still fairly independent.

The NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity for somebody already active, plus activities that build strength and balance on at least two days. Anyone starting again after a fall, an illness or a hospital stay should check with the GP or a physiotherapist first. The full NHS guidance and the elderly exercise guide both go into more detail.

Loneliness is linked to a 26% higher risk of dying early, an effect comparable to smoking or obesity, and older people living alone are 50% more likely to need emergency care and 40% more likely to have 12 or more GP appointments a year. It is worth treating as its own problem rather than assuming an activity or a hobby will fix it by itself.

The same activities as anyone else, offered around what already has meaning for that person: an old hobby, a piece of music, a sensory task such as handling wool or baking. Keep activities short and offer something specific rather than an open question. 37 activities for people with dementia has a longer list by stage.

Reading, audiobooks, puzzles, a video call and a simple craft on a tray all work without leaving a chair or a bed, and a carer's visit can bring an old hobby or a walk to your parent rather than the other way round. Activities for when your parent can't get out much covers this in full, including which named therapies are worth asking a professional about.

Start with the local Age UK branch, the council's leisure and adult education programme, and the library, all of which run or list activities for older adults. Age UK's day centre finder searches by postcode, and asking the council about funding is worth doing if cost is a concern, since some support is means-tested.

Yes. A companionship carer's visit can be built around an old hobby, a walk or simply company and conversation, matched to how your parent is feeling that day. Companion carers on PrimeCarers charge £15 to £20 an hour with our fee included. Activities to try with a companionship carer goes into what a visit looks like in practice.

This is common, and it is not a sign that nothing will work. Offering something specific and familiar, such as a particular photograph or a favourite piece of music, usually works better than asking an open question about what they would like to do. How do you get someone to accept care? covers this in more depth.

Yes, usually gradually rather than suddenly, so it is easy to keep offering the same list past the point it still fits. Check again after a fall, an infection or a hospital stay, or simply every few months, and use the guide at the top of this page to find whether a different one now fits better.