Seniors who are engaged in interesting activities live lives of joy and purpose. The path to this type of fulfillment starts with a discussion of hobbies, past activities and interest in learning about new potential activities. Brainstorm new ideas by tapping into interests that may have fallen by the wayside while the senior was working and raising a family.
Retirement means a change in routine and sometimes that can lead to boredom, loneliness, and depression which can affect all aspects of life, including overall health. Finding meaningful activities will lead to structure and a sense of purpose.
Ideally, the activities will involve mental and physical challenges and social interactions. Physical activities may help to improve general fitness and improve mental (and emotional) well-being.
Exercise and Fitness
Seek guidance from a medical professional before engaging in physical activities. They have your medical history and are best positioned to provide you with advice and suggestions that will fit your specific lifestyle.
Once you have medical guidance, you might consider fitness activities like chair yoga, aqua fit, tai chi, swimming, walking, table tennis, pickleball and golf. Most fitness facilities have adaptive measures for mobility issues.
Walking clubs provide companionship and an incentive to participate. Some shopping malls even open early to allow walkers to walk in inclement weather.
Gardening is an interesting activity for seniors and can be done at home or in a community garden. Growing flowers and vegetables can be rewarding and stimulate seniors both physically and artistically. Eating fresh vegetables contributes to good nutrition and well-being. Some local community gardens may have raised beds for those who need assistance with planting.
Hiking can be enjoyable and provide access to the outdoors as well as physical exercise. There are many different types of hiking trails that vary from easy to challenging.
Social Clubs and Groups
Word puzzles, card games, jigsaw puzzles and trivia all challenge the mind. Connecting with people at your local library or park district’s senior game activities or participating online with friends is a great way to engage with others and keep in touch.
Cell phone cameras allow for ease of taking photos and video. This creative activity can be done in a group or individually. Camera stores may be a good source for courses, but they can also be found on YouTube (and other internet platforms), as well as in books.
Birdwatching is another activity that can be done as a group or individually and has the added benefit of being in nature and the opportunity to learn about birds and their habits.
Creative Hobbies
Creative activities, such as playing a musical instrument or arts and craft projects, are absorbing as well as satisfying. Sometimes, these skills were used in another stage of life and need to be relearned, but that challenge can be rewarding.
Needlework, quilting and knitting provide opportunities to work individually or collaborate with others. Teaching skills such as embroidery, chess, woodworking, model building and calligraphy spreads the knowledge to another generation.
Learning and Education
Writing is another great activity. Some senior learning centers sponsor courses on writing memoir, fiction, nonfiction and blogs. There are also online writing groups and local groups that may meet at a bookstore or other venue. Feedback from peers will encourage and challenge seniors to bravely put their thoughts in writing.
Many community colleges, local park districts, community centers or senior learning centers have language classes. There are also several online opportunities to learn a language, which has the added benefit of being accessible at home at your own pace.
Many local libraries have book clubs. Some book clubs may be specialized to mysteries, romance and nonfiction, to name a few.
Theater groups can include both acting, writing and working on props and scenery. Going to theater performances and musical performances can be done individually or as a group.
Dining out is a way to explore restaurants and different cuisines. Some senior centers sponsor weekly outings which allow seniors to socialize and try different foods. Going to restaurants with other people may be revitalizing as well as nutritious.
Cooking classes are sponsored at some restaurants, specialty shops, and senior centers. While seniors may have been preparing meals for years, cooking classes may provide an opportunity to learn different techniques and try different ingredients. Some cooking classes may be specific to a specialized diet such as a diabetic diet or a vegan/vegetarian diet.
Following a sports team can lead to discussion groups and watch parties. Activities for seniors should be fun. Following local high school and college teams is a great way to enjoy watching the sport and provide support for the local community.
Volunteering
Nonprofits often need volunteers and it can be an ideal activity for seniors. The flexibility of scheduling allows seniors to participate on weekdays when many other volunteers may be working. Food banks need volunteers to sort donations, cook and help serve meals.
Animal shelters need volunteers to help with the animals and to keep the areas clean. And hospitals often have active volunteer programs and tasks to fit many different abilities and interests.
Schools have volunteer programs that include working with the children reading stories or working in the library. Volunteering with children is rewarding and fun. Kids have a unique way of looking at the world, which can be thought-provoking.
There are programs for reading to people who are losing their sight or visiting homebound seniors. Running errands for people with limited mobility can also be quite rewarding. These people can be neighbors or acquaintances who need additional help.
Volunteering at a museum or historical society provides an opportunity for learning, but also a chance to become a tour guide or docent. Many communities have a local land trust that works with the community to preserve land and natural areas. There are many opportunities to contribute including organizing and working at fundraising events.
Sparking Joy
Finding interesting activities for seniors can seem confusing and complicated. Chances are there will be some glitches in the process. Some activities may be uncomfortable or logistically challenging, but could lead to something that is a better fit.
Keeping an open mind to what is possible is key. Limiting activities due to fear of failure increases the likelihood of feelings of loneliness and isolation. Talk to friends and acquaintances about what they are doing and be unafraid to organize your own groups.
Let BrightStar Care® Help Keep You Engaged
BrightStar Care team members can help your loved one find activities that will bring them joy and enrich their lives. Whether you're looking for in-home care services or assisted living for your loved one or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.