Stimulating Activities for Seniors
So often, younger people view seniors as "over the hill" people who just sit around waiting for something interesting to happen. While some seniors may live alone and get out infrequently, it’s not because that’s the way they like it! I remember, many years ago, my grandmother, well into her seventies, telling me how strange it was to be so many years old and yet feel that she was still 18 in her heart. She was so passionate in her expression of this observation, I never forgot it. It was a joy to hear her say this. She was very active and could go all day long, working in her garden. While I was worn out trying to keep up with her, she might say "Oh, I guess I am a little bit worn out. Let’s have a spot of coffee!" So, give those seniors in your life credit. Most are like my Grandma, active and young at heart.
Here are some ideas you might use for activities for seniors. We’ve included ideas appropriate for disabled and even bed-ridden seniors, sure to bring a smile and cheer up that young person in an old body!
While feeling young, some seniors tend to become reclusive, when friends begin to pass on and their social circle shrinks. It can be a depressing time for them. If you’ve got a family member or neighbor who’s a senior, take it upon yourself to get them involved in some activities for seniors. Staying active and interested is a good way to retain a youthful outlook and stave off loneliness, depression and even Alzheimer’s.
When you propose certain activities for seniors, try to tailor your suggestions to things you know they enjoy, or have enjoyed in the past. For example, one of my Aunts loved nothing better than taking off for Reno with two or three of her lady friends. They’d take in the shows, shop and, of course, gamble. I don’t know that any of them ever really came out ahead, but they had a great time.
Collect a handful of those glossy trifold brochures on local attractions available at your Chamber of Commerce, or check them out online. It’s amazing how much of our own local community attractions go unnoticed, no matter how long you’ve lived in an area. Garden shows, museums, boat tours, fabulous Sunday brunch spots or a visit to the zoo or planetarium are all great activities for seniors. Check for seasonal events, such as Oktoberfest or Renaissance style fairs. Bowling, anyone? A couple of tickets to a holiday symphony makes a great gift.
Any of these activities for seniors might just spur your senior on to get out of the house more often, which is the whole idea.
Arts and crafts classes are good choices for seniors who are unable to sprint around hill and dale. If you can take them to and from classes, so much the better. This is a great way for seniors to make new friends with similar interests. There’s such a variety of classes, there’s something for everyone, men and women alike.
Seniors who are more active may well enjoy training in some of the martial arts. Tai-Chi is aerobic, an easy and gentle discipline, and is a terrific way to get in shape.
Among activities for seniors who are disabled, card parties (Bridge, Canasta?) are often a hit with the ladies. Invite some of your disabled senior’s friends over, set up the card table and provide a stack of sandwiches, cold cuts or salads.
While reading is not generally thought of as an activity for seniors, this can be a pleasurable pastime, which also keeps your seniors’ mind active and less susceptible to Alzheimer’s.
Perhaps you remember the sit-com, "The Golden Girls". While, to all appearances, they weren’t all that active, they certainly had a good time sitting around the kitchen table, chatting, fussing, arguing and gossiping. And eating cheesecake. These women enjoyed their activities for seniors quite nicely. Much like a girl’s slumber party. Some things don’t change much, for the young at heart senior.
Category: Seniors