At the risk of sounding like Dr. Seuss, fun can be had anywhere by anyone: young or old, in a plane or on a train, at home or in a senior living community. For seniors, an active and fun-loving lifestyle is encouraged because it keeps boredom and cabin fever at bay – feelings that, as you age, can affect more than just your mood.
So, how do you combat boredom and depression? By infusing your loved one’s days with long-lost hobbies, social activities and fun senior games! Not only do these life enrichment activities help pass the time, but they improve overall health by flexing brain muscles, physical muscles and more.
For fun senior activities that energize the body, stimulate the mind, strengthen the bones and uplift the spirit – keep reading!
Typically used to describe the management of relationships, social wellness is all about how we interact with others around us, including our ability to create and foster close connections within our community.
For most people, social wellness is an innate concept because they already lead busy lives full of different relationships. Retired seniors, however, find themselves spending a lot of time at home alone, which can lead to increased feelings of loneliness and depression.
The good news is, whether you’re a homebody or social butterfly, there are plenty of senior activities your loved one can do on their own that will enhance their social wellness:
Call family and friends for a nice chat.
Teach yourself a new skill! Learn a new language or try a new recipe.
Become a volunteer in your community, like at your local library, hospital or shelter.
Go outside! Even if it’s just sitting on your front porch listening to the birds sing.
Adopt a hobby you can do in your favorite lounge chair, like knitting, crocheting or reading.
It’s true that the more activity you engage in, the healthier you will be, but perhaps what’s most important is finding the right balance. For example, start by adding one or two activities into your daily routine and see how you feel.
Social Activities at Tutera Communities
Tutera senior living communities like Tiffany Springspost a weekly activity calendar that’s chock-full of fun senior activities for residents to engage in. A lot of the activities are diverse, so residents can learn new skills, try new things and enjoy new experiences. Inspired by you, we cater our care to not only meet your unique needs, but we tailor our amenities and activities to align with your preferences and hobbies.
Activities may vary by community depending on the levels of care and amenities offered, but for the most part, senior living activities include:
Creative outlets
Join a group painting class in the great outdoors or a holiday wreath-making workshop and watch not only your mental health improve but friendships flourish from colorful conversations with like-minded neighbors.
Physical activity
Working out in the gym, stretching out in a yoga class or doing water aerobics are all great physical exercises that can improve your health, promote an active lifestyle and boost social wellness.
Gardening
Green thumb or not, being outside and cultivating colorful bulbs is a great way to relax and socialize with neighbors.
A leisurely stroll
Walking is a wonderful and fun senior activity because of its diversity. Many communities offer walking trails or landscaped courtyards, but it doesn’t matter if you’re inside or outside – movement is medicine. Walking not only enhances your mood, but it’s an activity that can be enjoyed alone or with friends, sharing life stories or watching birds fly overhead.
Interactive cooking demos
At Tutera communities like Tiffany Springs, it’s always our pleasure to cook for you, but occasionally residents enjoy live cooking demonstrations by our chef – a fun social activity for building friendships and possibly learning a new skill.
Live entertainment
It’s common for senior living communities to host live concerts or special guests as a treat for residents and their families to enjoy.
Music therapy
Music therapy is a meaningful and enjoyable activity for residents with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. At Tutera memory care communities like Stratford Commons, music therapy has the ability to help seniors recall lost memories and more.
Themed parties, happy hours and community events
Laughter extends your life, which is why a lot of communities offer fun senior activities like themed parties spanning 50s rock to 80s hair bands! These blasts from the past evoke fast friendships and hearty laughter from residents and their families.
Educational seminars
Satisfy your thirst for knowledge with educational seminars presented by outside speakers or community leaders. It’s senior activities like these that help to broaden your knowledge, enhance your skills and protect your personal information.
Trivia nights, puzzles and brain games
The more you age, the more you need to challenge your brain because it craves stimulation. Senior activities like trivia nights and puzzles introduce new facts and patterns to the brain – flexing new muscles in your mind to keep cognitive skills sharp.
Interactive video games
Sink a hole in one or bowl a strike in the community game room on the Nintendo Wii. Learn new technology, laugh with friends and have a blast! Even invite the grandkids for some intergenerational fun.
Group outings
A lot of communities offer scheduled transportation and planned group outings to exciting destinations in the surrounding area – a fun senior activity to do with friends.
Popular Senior Activitiesto Enjoyat Home
Many of the activities offered at senior living communities can be enjoyed at home, but for a few of the best low-maintenance and cost-effective senior activities, check out the list below:
Rediscover old hobbies
When seniors fall out of touch with the hobbies they once loved, it can be a momentous occasion to rediscover them. This is an especially meaningful activity that seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia should incorporate into their daily routines.
Cuddle a furry companion
For many people, their pets are their children. Animals have the power to calm anxiety, uplift spirits, detect danger, offer support and so much more. For seniors who live alone, short dog walks make for great exercise!
Organize family pictures into albums
Pull out the bins and go through the memories! This is a meaningful activity that seniors with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia can do with their loved ones.
Get an adult coloring book
Coloring as an adult is more fun and less messy, but for seniors, coloring within the lines helps with hand-eye coordination and promotes mental stimulation.
Attend a bingo tournament
Bingo is played everywhere, so attend your local bingo hall for some awesome socializing and brain stimulation.
Remember that when it comes to having fun, age really is just a number. Whether you’re a senior living at home or in a senior living community, there’s always a plethora of activities for you to engage in.
About Tutera Senior Living & Health Care
At Tutera Senior Living & Health Care, we’re committed to providing seniors with quality care that supports their emotional, intellectual and physical well-being. Using individualized care plans, empowering wellness programming and clinical excellence, we’re able to restore the quality of life for many seniors.
Interested in learning more about Tutera Senior Living? You can use our community finder tool to locate a community near you or call us today with any questions.
