Skip to main content

Activities for Seniors Citizens

Growing older does not mean that fun has to stop. Age should not be the reason a person misses out on engaging in recreational or therapeutic activities. Having a good laugh and sharing enjoyable activities can be a wonderful way to stay actively engaged in life. It’s important to always keep in mind that even as we age, and perhaps lose mobility, fun is still vital to a happy life. With a little creative thinking and planning, seniors can stay active both indoors and out, all year round. There are many fun activities for senior citizens to keep their minds sharp, bodies strong, and spirits high. Below are some great fun ideas for seniors to do.


Wii Sports

The senior in your life may not be able to shoot baskets anymore, but Nintendo’s Wii interactive console games, in which you move your body instead of pressing buttons or using a joystick, offer a nice alternative. There are a variety of games that the sports-minded seniors can play, including bowling, tennis, and golf, as well as the aforementioned basketball.

Active Games and Sports

These give you the chance to get some exercise, improve your hand-eye coordination, and gain a sense of control over the physical world. All of that can be very satisfying, especially if you get to overcome obstacles or compete with other people in a friendly way.

Consider examples like:

• Golf

• Miniature golf

• Pool

• Shuffleboard

• Bocce

• Tennis

• Badminton

• Pickle ball

• Croquet

• Ball tossing

• Frisbee tossing

• Volleyball (including with a beach ball or balloon)

• Horseshoes

• Lawn bowling

• Indoor bowling

• Wii Bowling

• Curling

Music Therapy

Music has an undeniable healing power, especially for those who live with dementia. Some assisted living communities bring in trained music therapists to entertain and provide small-group cognitive stimulation. In some communities, seniors with a history of musicianship can even participate to provide entertainment or music therapy activities for their friends and neighbors.

Parties and Other Social Gatherings

Socializing can be a powerful way to inject more fun into your life. That's particularly true if you get to reminisce about old times or talk about the other things that interest you. In fact, a good conversation may elevate your mood and outlook more than anything else on this list, especially if you keep things jovial. So don't shy away from attending other people's parties or joining clubs. Also, consider planning some of your own events.

You can plan parties around all kinds of themes such as:

• Casino night

• Murder mystery

• Trivia night

• Mexican fiesta

• Ugly sweaters night

• The 1920s, 50s, 60s, etc.

• Masquerade ball

• Arabian nights

• Mardi Gras

• Pirates

• Hawaiian luau

• Jungle bash

• The Oscars

• Formal tea

• Secret Santa

Pet Therapy

Rubbing a dog’s belly can make many of us feel all warm and fuzzy, and it’s particularly comforting to those who gave up pets when they moved into assisted living. Pet therapy programs that bring dogs in to snuggle with seniors can fill the gap. Spending time with animals may even improve a senior’s mental and physical health. 

Outdoor activities

As long as the weather is decent, being outside can do wonders for your mood. After all, the natural world is full of pleasurable sights, sounds, smells, and other sensory delights. They let you feel like an explorer or like you're connected to something larger than yourself.

Consider diversions such as:

• Gardening

• Bird-watching

• Walking

• Hiking

• Picnics

• Boat rides

• Metal detecting

• Kite flying

• Nature photography

Creative Activities 

Getting in touch with their creative side is another fun way for seniors to spend time. Drawing, coloring, painting, and sculpture are all wonderful ways to be creative. Fun projects might include creating scrapbooks, organizing family photo albums, or making a family recipe book. As a plus, being creative also comes with health benefits. Research has found creative activities can help people who are battling chronic illness to decrease negative emotions and increase positive ones, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve medical outcomes.

Find the right balance

We already know that staying physically active in your autumn years offers a variety of health benefits, like lessening chronic pain, delaying and preventing certain diseases, and helping you recover faster from an illness or injury. Social activity for seniors is incredibly important in maintaining an overall high quality of life. It helps to harness the most curious and beneficial “side effects” of healthy friendships, including increased longevity, greater mental acuity, and emotional health.

Everyone has different limits to the amount of time they can spend on social or other activities. What is perfect for one person may be too much for another. You might start by adding one or two activities to your routine and see how you feel. You can always add more. Remember, Participating in activities you enjoy should be fun, not stressful.




Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

What is the difference between 1 Bipolar Disorder and 2 Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and psychological counseling (psychotherapy). Bipolar I Disorder and Bipolar II Disorder are two of the three major forms of Bipolar Disorder. If you or someone you know is dealing with bipolar disorder, educating yourself about the condition is important. Understanding the differences between Bipolar Disorder 1 and Bipolar Disorder 2 can help you plan for how to manage future mood episodes and get the best treatment for your mental health. Bipolar 1 Disorder  Bipolar 1 Disorder is characterized by extreme, intense mood episodes. Those with bipolar I experience intense mania, which lasts at least seven days. T...
Post a Comment
Read more

What is Manic Depression Disorder?

Manic Depression Disorder episodes are the main sign of the condition, and most people with bipolar disorder also have depressive episodes. The condition is manageable with medications, talk therapy, lifestyle changes, and other treatments. Manic Depression Disorder is a term for what is now referred to as Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder is a chronic mood disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, and behavior.  Manic Depression Disorder. (Bipolar 1 Disorder) Manic Depression Disorder, is a mental disorder characterized by wide mood swings from high (manic) to low (depressed). Periods of high mood swings are called manic episodes. The person becomes very active, but in a scattered and unproductive way, sometimes with painful or embarrassing consequences. Examples are spending more money than is wise or getting involved in sexual adventures that are regretted later. Most people who have manic episodes also experience periods of depression. There is some evidence ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How Bipolar Disorder affect Women ?

 Women and men are equally likely to have bipolar I disorder, but women are more likely to have bipolar II disorder and may experience more rapid cycling between highs and lows. Women with bipolar disorder are also more likely than men with bipolar disorder to have other physical and mental health conditions, including problems with alcohol use, depression caused by bipolar disorder, thyroid disease, obesity caused by medicines that treat bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches. Women with bipolar disorder tend to have more depression and anxiety symptoms than men. In women with bipolar disorder generally, depressive symptoms are more likely to be dominant. In fact, women with the condition are twice as likely to experience depression as men. Women are also more likely to experience psychosis with depression. Because depressive symptoms tend ton be dominant. Women with bipolar disorder often receive an incorrect diagnosis of depression. Researchers found that women with bipolar di...
Post a Comment
Read more