Karen’s Korner
According to “Great Senior Living,” there are many ways for seniors to lose themselves for a few minutes or a few hours, as an active participant, or even a spectator.
Active games and sports prevent boredom, improve mental health, nurture memory, imagination, and creativity. Card games, board games, dominos, video games, number games, outdoor games, and puzzles are just a few that would be enjoyable for our seniors.
Dancing, karaoke, and other performance arts improve social skills and maintain physical conditioning, good exercise, improve memory, and coordination. Theme and seasonal dances, line dancing/square dancing, drama, theatrical participation, art and crafts and singing fill many hours.
Parties and other social gatherings improve social skills, provide fellowship with friends, relieve loneliness, and provide good clean fun. Birthday parties, senior gatherings, (C.O.A) Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other seasonal parties, and senior church functions!
Animal interactions can provide social and emotional support for older adults and can reduce distress, loneliness and improve overall quality of life. There are some animal adoption agencies that need senior volunteers to help! Adopting a pet may be good, cats are low maintenance, and they do not require walking, and they do not bark. Birds and fish are often overlooked as good pets, yet they require care and love too and give purpose for the individual caring for them.
Gardening, bird-watching, and other outdoor pastimes! Planting and watching plants and flowers grow provide our seniors with success and confidence, as well as providing food and a beautiful centerpiece for the table. Gardening and other outdoor activities have great health benefits, improving mood, reducing stress, and building strength and it certainly helps pass the time of day as well.
Active learning is always more fun when it’s something you choose to do for its own sake. It increases your curiosity and impulses. Learning something new is beneficial at any age Examples: Learning how to sing or play a musical instrument, speak a foreign language, use computers more effectively, take professional-quality photos, write great stories or cook new meals.
Outings and excursions are always fun and exciting. Many great options exist, especially when you gather a small group of people to share the experiences: like theme parks, cruises, county fairs, comedy clubs, movies, concerts, sporting events or even wineries. There is so much to do if you are a senior adult, and the choice is left up to you.