Is quarantine over yet?
Unlike a long car ride, we don’t know exactly when it will end. Quarantine can be an isolating and confusing time, especially for seniors who may be living alone.
If you’re looking for ways to pass the time, we’ve compiled some of the best senior activities to stay active, connected, and inspired during this time of uncertainty. Read on to learn a few creative and unique ways to pass the time.
If you can, approach quarantine with a positive attitude, stay connected to family and loved ones over the phone, and before we know it, we can return to our normal life. But until then, why not try out one of the below activities?
Gentle Yoga and Stretching
Keeping active is something that benefits people of all ages. Take some time each morning or evening to do some easy stretching or yoga. You can even find simple chair yoga workouts online, great for those with limited mobility.
Yoga can relax both your body and your mind, a very helpful thing when we are trapped inside. It can also improve muscle tone and flexibility, improve your quality of sleep, and help you stay focused.
Yoga and stretching are great things to do inside and can help you develop a regular fitness routine, if done daily.
Always consult your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen.
Puzzles and Games
Puzzles and games are always a great activity for seniors, or anyone stuck inside. Puzzles test our mind and fine motor skills, and there’s nothing like the achievement of finishing off a 1,000 piece jigsaw—take a photo before taking it apart!
Board games, cards, crosswords, and sudoku are always fun as well. If you’re stuck at home on your own, make a video call to a loved one and try playing a board game together via a video chat!
It takes a little bit of creativity (and trust that your companion is playing fair!), but is a clever way to stay connected.
Morning Walks
We should aim to get some fresh air and enjoy time outside, within the constraints of social distancing. A walk outside is the best way to do this, and you may find fewer people out and about if you go in the early morning.
If it’s too crowded in the area where you live, even some time in the backyard enjoying the sun, gardening, or reading a book can provide your daily dose of Vitamin D and help to ease the inevitable cabin fever from quarantine.
Create Holiday Cards
Looking for fun craft ideas for seniors? There’s nothing nicer than receiving a hand-made card in the mail. If you feel like getting crafty, break out the colored paper, markers, and ribbon and create some home-made cards for the children or grandchildren for their birthdays, Halloween, or any special occasion.
Creativity and design are fun ways to keep your mind (and hands) busy, and you’re sure to put a smile on the face of your loved ones when they open the mail to see a special card from you. Don’t forget to add in recent photos!
If you’re looking for more craft inspiration, here are some great adult crafts to try.
Start an Indoor Herb Garden
One of the best things about independent senior living is staying in your home and living life your own way. If you’ve always loved cooking, why not start a herb garden, either outside or on a sunny windowsill?
Fresh herbs add so much more flavor to cooking than dried ones, and the quarantine time is the perfect time to plant and tend to a garden.
Try ordering all the supplies you need online to avoid extra trips to the stores and start enjoying the simple pleasures of gardening.
Useful herbs in cooking you might want to try growing include basil, rosemary, parsley, and dill.
Attend the Theatre—Virtually
Quarantine has meant we sadly can’t go to the cinema or theatre, but luckily there’s a way to enjoy professional theatre from the comfort of your own home.
As long as you have a reliable internet connection, you can stream one of several Broadway shows for free, a unique way to spend an evening.
If you have several friends who enjoy the theatre, try to all watch the show on the same day at home, then schedule a video chat to review and discuss the show over cheese and wine.
Look for classics such as Oklahoma, The King and I, and An American in Paris.
Plan a Themed Luncheon
The traditional rules of entertaining have gone out the window during quarantine, so why not try something fun and organize a themed lunch. Christmas in summer, a tropical-themed tiki meal, or a Mexican fiesta? Why not!
It’s a fun excuse to cook something out of the ordinary, put some decorations around the house, or even bust out those Hawaiian shirts that have been sitting in the closet for years.
Online Zoo Visits
There’s no better way to pass the time than watching adorable baby animals, right? Although we can’t go to the local zoo or aquarium, many top zoos are offering free online streaming of some of their most popular animals that you can enjoy from home.
Check out the San Diego Zoo, look for the pandas at the National Zoo in Washington DC, or enjoy the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
It’s a fun activity you can do virtually with the grandkids as well, who are sure to enjoy searching for the animals from home and learning more about their favorite species.
Which of These Senior Activities Are You Most Excited to Try?
Quarantine is certainly an unusual time, but it doesn’t need to be boring! Try out one of the above senior activities to keep your mind and body healthy during these trying times.
Developing a routine for the day can make things much easier to cope with, so once you find your ‘new-normal’ you can make the most of quarantine, and maybe even take up a new hobby or learn a new skill!
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Senior Outlook Today is your go-to source for information, inspiration, and connection as you navigate the later years of life. Our team of experts and writers is dedicated to providing relevant and engaging content for seniors, covering topics such as health and wellness, finances, technology and travel.
