Keeping active as a senior is an important way to ensure a high quality of life as people age. This is especially true for seniors living in assisted living facilities.
Here are the top 5 nursing home activities to keep seniors healthy and active.
1. Playing Multiplayer Games
While games like chess and cribbage are good for keeping the mind sharp, games like Monopoly, Uno, and bridge help seniors feel connected to other people. This can be important as seniors are far more likely to report feeling lonely than any other age group.
Plus, playing games like Scrabble and Pictionary can do double duty. These two games can act as brain teasers, requiring players to think and solve problems. This can help keep elderly minds active while encouraging them to socialize and, at least in Pictionary’s case help them socialize and work as a team.
2. Get Them Moving.
Keeping seniors physically fit can be a great way to improve their quality of life and improve their overall health. There are a number of low impact exercises to get them up, moving, and, yes, even socializing.
Thai Chi, for example, is great for improving stability while getting a great cardio work out. The slow, fluid-like movements can also help improve depression and anxiety in seniors. Whereas dancing, especially partner dancing, can be a great way to stay fit while helping to build connections and making sure they socialize.
3. Nurture Their Creativity
Great for improving hand and eye coordination on top of keeping their mind sharp, arts and crafts can be a great way to keep seniors from getting bored. Plus, it gives them an end product to feel proud of and give them a sense of accomplishment.
So, whether it is collaging some of their favorite photos to hang in their room or a pottery class, offering arts and crafts at assisted living homes can help nurture creativity. Plus, it keeps them social and engaged with their surroundings (Noticing a trend here?)
4. Educational Classes
By offering educational classes you are giving seniors the chance to learn about something they are interested in. Plus, it can help keep them present, engaged in the world, and yes, social.
Many assisted living homes offer weekly classes on everything from computers to cooking to the piano. By offering the elderly a chance to learn a new skill it can help them feel capable and empowered. It also gives them something to talk about with their fellow residents and their family, leading to more positive interactions with other people.
5. Volunteering
Giving back to the community isn’t just for the young. It turns out it is great for people of all ages. In fact, some places actively encourage seniors to volunteer with them.
Animal shelters are known for being places for seniors to donate their time. It turns out by helping animals stay sociable and active, seniors get the same benefits. Many libraries also love having seniors lead storytime for youngsters.
No End Of Nursing Home Activities:
While these are just some of the most popular nursing home activities, there is no end of other fun and unique ways to keep seniors engaged and busy. By having a number of activities for the elderly to participate in, you are helping to increase their quality of life and letting them get the most out of their golden years.
For more tips on senior living, take a look at our blog.
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