Planning activities for seniors can seem challenging, but you can make it easier by focusing on the benefits, picking activities they are interested in and capable of doing, and encouraging them.
Benefits of seniors participating in activities
There are many benefits of activities for seniors, including:
- Physical activity
- Cognitive stimulation
- Social interaction
- Creative outlets
- Sense of community
- Improved self-esteem when learning a new skill
Different activities come with different benefits. Physical activities (such as hiking, swimming, exercise classes, or playing a sport) provide exercise.
According to the CDC, the immediate benefits of physical activities for seniors include better sleep and lower anxiety and blood pressure, while the long-term benefits include decreased risk of dementia, depression, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Physical activity also improves bone strength, balance, and coordination, which reduces the risk of falls.
Depending on the activity, seniors can also increase their mobility and motor skills.
Creative outlets, like art or writing, and learning new things, like an instrument or language, have been shown to improve cognitive function, memory, and processing speeds.
Finally, one of the biggest benefits of activities is they help seniors avoid social isolation (a lack of social connections). According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), social isolation increases a person’s risk of high blood pressure, weakened immune system, cognitive decline, depression, and anxiety.
Building social connections and interacting with people is vital for people’s health. Doing different activities is a great way to spend time with old friends or make new friends.
How to plan activities for seniors
When planning activities for seniors, there are several important steps. First, you need to decide on the activity by considering their interests and abilities. Next, you need to consider who will participate in the activity. Then, you need to decide how often and when you will do the activity. Finally, you make any necessary preparations.
Step One: Deciding on the activity
There are many different activities that a senior could do. When picking one, there are two important considerations:
- Interests and enjoyment: What do they like to do? What are their hobbies or passions? Is there something they have always wanted to learn? Pick an activity they are interested in and will enjoy doing.
- Physical and mental capabilities: They also have to be able to do the activity. For example, bad arthritis may mean that holding a paintbrush or knitting needles will not be a good option for them. Consider their hand function, mobility, cognitive capabilities, coordination, aches and pains, and energy level. Also, look at the accessibility of the places that offer these activities (such as if the music class location is wheelchair accessible).
Step Two: Decide on social interaction
Since social interaction is one of the biggest benefits of seniors being involved in activities, it is important to figure out who they will be interacting with during the planning stage. Are they joining already established groups or classes? Or are they asking their friends and family to come over for game nights, go the movies with them, or go out to eat?
Step Three: Scheduling
If you join an established class, there will already be a schedule. Otherwise, you need to establish how often and when you want to do these activities. If you are organizing a bookclub with friends, will you meet monthly to discuss the book? When and where will you meet?
For many activities, you don’t have to have a set schedule, but it can be helpful since constantly needing to decide which days people are available can often be more time-consuming and problematic than actually doing the activity. At the very least, decide on a frequency so you know you want to meet to play golf once a week.
Step Four: Preparation
Mark the date and time on your calendar. If you need to sign up for a class, do so. Gather all the supplies that you need (such as the book for book club, your tennis racket and ball, or binoculars if you’re going birdwatching).
How to encourage seniors to engage in social activities
Some seniors may be reluctant to start a new social activity. During the discussion (as with talking to seniors about accepting help), it is important to listen to their feelings and concerns and respect their autonomy. You can’t force them to do a social activity.
Instead, talk to them about the benefits of the activity and work with them to get some ideas of activities they may enjoy. Offer to host family game nights, go to the movies with them, or cook/bake with them. Get some information on local classes, community/senior centers, or groups they might be interested in.
Activities that are good for seniors
Look at this list of activities to see which ones interest you.
- Talking with friends or family:
- Visits
- Video chats
- Emailing
- Texting
- Calls
- Writing letters
- Spending time outdoors:
- Gardening
- Birdwatching
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Physically active activities:
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Tai Chi
- Dance
- Golf
- Chair exercises
- Chair yoga
- Stretching
- Walking groups
- Zumba
- Swimming
- Water sports
- Tennis
- Bowling
- Bocce
- Wii Sports
- Mindfulness
- Travel
- Museum or landmark tours (or virtual tours)
- Playing with and walking their pets
- Playing games:
- Board games (such as Monopoly, Clue, or Sorry)
- Card games (such as Euchre, Pitch, or Rummy)
- Backgammon
- Chess
- Checkers
- Dominoes
- Puzzles
- Trivia
- Pool
- Video games
- Crosswords
- Sudoku
- Scavenger hunts
- Bingo
- Water balloon toss
- Weekly or monthly game night
- Joining a club:
- Book club
- Movie club
- Alumni associations
- Community centers or senior centers
- Attending a new class or lectures:
- Educational workshops
- Continued learning
- Art class
- Music class
- Language class
- Group exercise class
- Cooking class
- Computer class
- Reconnect with old friends on social media
- Needlework:
- Sewing
- Knitting
- Crocheting
- Embroidery
- Quilting
- Beading
- Art:
- Arts and crafts
- Drawing
- Painting
- Pottery
- Origami
- Food-related:
- Cooking
- Baking
- Sharing recipes
- BBQs or potlucks
- Picnics
- Trying new restaurants
- Music related:
- Playing an instrument
- Learning to play an instrument
- Singing in a choir or band
- Karaoke
- Going to concerts
- Reading
- Writing:
- Creative writing
- Poetry
- Journaling
- Writing their life stories
- Comedy
- Volunteering:
- Intergenerational programs
- Mentoring
- Library
- Museum
- Animal shelter
- Family reunions
- Movie night
- Learn a new language
- Jewelry making
- Spa days
- Photography
- Woodworking
- Scrapbooking
Many of these activities can be done online or at home, so people have many options regardless of their situation.
Hire Pacific Angels Home Care to plan activities for seniors
Home care providers can plan activities for seniors. They can help with scheduling, provide transportation, and participate in the activities.
Here at Pacific Angels Home Care, we offer companionship care to seniors in Monterey, Santa Cruz, Aptos, and the surrounding areas in California.
Our kind caregivers can provide social interaction and conversation, play games, watch movies, engage in their hobbies, and go to events with seniors.
We can also help with personal care (such as moving around, going to the bathroom, bathing, and grooming), light housekeeping, and meal preparation.
We are available as needed and tailor our services to the individual’s needs.
For those in the Aptos, Monterey Bay, or Santa Cruz area, call us today at (831) 708-2876 or reach us online to learn more about how we help seniors be active.
