Spending time with your aging dad may be one of the most useful gifts you can give this Father’s Day and we have several suggestions for making that time well spent.

Gifts For Your Dad’s Physical Health
In addition to maintaining his independence, staying active may help your dad have more energy as well as strengthen his muscles and joints. Help your father stay active by giving him a gift to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Pedometer – Most doctors recommend at least 30 minutes of walking per day to maintain a healthy lifestyle. While 30 minutes if continuous activity may be too much for many seniors, you can help your dad keep track of how many steps he takes a day with a pedometer. Be sure to follow the pedometer’s set-up instructions to accurately measure his steps and talk to your father’s doctor to establish realistic daily goals. A pedometer will help give your aging father useful feedback about his daily activity and a sense of accomplishment when he meets or exceeds his fitness goals. You may both be surprised at how active he is!

Wii – Just because those old bones can’t slide into second base they way they used to is no reason why your dad can’t relive his glory days on the baseball diamond. Help your dad stay stay in shape, as well as maintain his balance, hand-eye coordination and fitness, by purchasing an interactive video system, such as Wii. Whether your father enjoys a rousing game of tennis, soccer, bowling or basketball, likes to get his groove on like a dancing fool or prefers to balance his chi by practicing yoga, Tai Chi or Pilates, Wii has a program for him.

Spring cleaning – Offer to do some gardening, mow the lawn, clean the gutters, clear out the clutter in the garage or any other physical task your father has neglected. In addition to helping out, working together on any of these chores gives you a chance to subtly observe your father’s physical health and stamina and determine if he may need help on a regular basis.

Provide a healthy meal – Make your dad a healthy, home-cooked meal this Father’s Day or, if you won’t be able to see him in person, arrange for a special meal to be delivered. It is also important to make sure your father is maintaining a healthy diet throughout the year, so consider having dinner with him at least once a month. If you do not live nearby or cannot visit him on a regular basis, consider giving him gift certificates for his favorite restaurants or purchase a gift-of-the-month package that features healthy food items, such as fruit, meats or complete meals. If your father still lives in his own home but does not have access to regular transportation, you could find out if he would qualify for any local services, such as Meals-on-Wheels.

Gifts For Your Dad’s Mental Health
Help your father stay in engaged in life and combat loneliness by giving him the gift of your time, signing him up for a class or providing transportation for him to visit with friends and family.

Community Center activities – Loneliness can lead to depression for anyone but you can help your father maintain his mental health by encouraging him to participate in a regular activity. Most community centers offer numerous programs for local senior citizens, such as educational classes, organized card games, fitness programs. An active mind and regular social interaction can improve your father’s quality of life and sense of worth. Find out what programs are available in his area and then make sure your dad can drive himself, has access to public transportation or can catch a ride with friends or family..

Take your father out for the afternoon – Lift your dad’s spirits by taking him out for one of his favorite activities this Father’s Day. When you were growing up, did your dad have series tickets to a local sports team, spend every Saturday morning playing golf with his best friend or reserve one weekend a year to go fishing with his college buddies? Whether your dad likes ball games, bowling or the movies, devote an afternoon to your father’s favorite activity.

Road trip – As a senior, your father may not like to drive long distances or may not be able to drive at all, so an offer to go on a road trip could be a great gift. Perhaps your dad hasn’t seen his siblings or his grandchildren in awhile, would like to see his childhood home one more time or just wants to spend an afternoon having a picnic in park park. Engage your dad’s mind and give him the opportunity to change things up by taking him whether he wants to go this Father’s Day.

Don’t wait for Father’s Day to spend time with your dad. As he ages, he may need your help more often, so call or stop by to see how he is doing. Make sure he is in good health and spirits and that he has access to and is taking any necessary medications. If you or a family member cannot check on him personally, consider hiring professionals to help. Contact CalRegistry to find out what assisted living services or facilities would be best for your family. Show your love this Father’s Day by giving your dad your time and assistance.