We like to do certain activities every day but need help to do them. Those activities may be hiking, walking, skiing, golfing, singing, dancing, or many things. Here I meant leisure activities. , These are the activities that bestow relaxation and peace of mind. Despite their age, everyone deserves time from a hectic busy schedule to participate in leisure activities.
Leisure activities are the best source of happiness for everyone, especially seniors. These can also source inspiration for them. Even if we progressively age, the goofy child in our hearts never ages. Seniors can go for various indoor recreational activities that may cost no money and make them happy and healthy.
Several unique activities for seniors may belong to any of four groups: physical, relaxation, creative, and social leisure activities. These activities have significant physical and psychological benefits to older people’s health.
There is a critical reason you need to emphasize leisure activities for senior citizens. The research concludes that at least one in four seniors is experiencing mental complications. Depression is the most common among them.
What is the Importance Of Indoor Activities For Seniors?
Leisure activities are not only about outdoor activities; indoor activities for seniors can be even more beneficial. Some elderly love setting up a terrarium, growing cress heads, painting pots, making playlists and other indoor activities to elevate their moods. It has been found that the elderly, after retirement, feel lonely and left out; it could be a horrible experience for them. So the activity ideas for retired seniors remain the same.
Here are more specific reasons for it:-
- It makes them socialize. Seniors can accompany their fellows to the games to keep their interaction with people alive. Even briefly, family members’ participation in contests is enough to cheer them up. It is just a way to spend quality time with good people.
- It is suitable for cognitive or memory skills. It significantly improves the functioning of various brain parts involved in memory and thought processing.
- It reduces stress. Indoor activities for the elderly curb boredom. Easy games like Ludo, chess, etc., are beneficial for stress reduction for all age groups.
- It can improve physical coordination. Indoor exercises or any game involving body movements like picking, bending, sitting, and standing improves mental and physical coordination.
- It develops positive emotions. Positive emotions of well-being and self-fulfillment are self-satisfactory. Fun indoor activities for adults are brain exercises that help in reducing the risk of diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
- It contributes to the immunity system. Sharing of laughing, self-satisfaction, and inner happiness triggers the release of certain chemicals that boost immunity.
Activities on Paper
Printable activities for seniors give content for hours, keeping them busy. In such actions, they are ardently and mentally involved. Not only are these fun, but they can be educational also. It is one of the best indoor activities for seniors when there is scorching sun or freezing winds outside. Earlier, COVID-19 restrictions also caused people to turn to printable activities. The printable activity ideas for seniors are as follows:-
Quiz
Quizzes are the best game for older people that involve answering questions. No matter the season, we need a printer and choose a theme. Then, we can ask questions about general knowledge, world geography, music, literature, movies, TV, etc.
Word Search
It is one of the adults’ most engaging traditional inside activities. Here they use their attentiveness to find relevant letters in those square grids, which may be placed diagonally, vertically, or horizontally. It is a suitable activity for any occasion.
Word scramble
It is a stimulating activity, hence suitable for aging brains. It tests vocabulary while the letter is mixed. Those mixed letters are the mess that they resolve. It also helps in stimulating memory retention and overall mental health.
Labyrinth
Labyrinth is an easy yet confusing game at the same time. It is effectively used to strengthen the brain’s cognitive functioning (thinking and memory). We need two things: a sheet and a pen. The pen is used to find the way from one end to another.
Tic-Tac-Toe
It is a classic paper and pencil activity for the elderly at home. We’ll need to print several copies. The players must fill in O and X in the grid, and the one who forms the row first wins.
Activities for Physical Fitness
Being active body-wise is mandatory for older adults or they experience physical problems. Agility-promoting activities help in weight loss and improve physical appearance. Furthermore, it can improve blood circulation, relax the mind, and enhance productivity. Here are some inside activities for adults that can help in building a healthy, active body:-
Swimming
Swimming indoors is a happy and fun activity in summer when the sun is fiery. Depending on the environment, it could be the best indoor or outdoor summer activity for seniors. It causes the release of endorphins, a brain chemical that lessens pain perception and boosts happiness.
Dance
It is another fun indoor activity for seniors in the summer. They can call fellow mates or gather them to join hands and dance together. It builds brain and body coordination, balance, rhythm, and spatial awareness and ultimately enriches lifestyle.
Yoga
Yoga is another good activity for both summers and winters. It relieves stress effectively, bolsters bone strength, and assures overall well-being. According to experts, the best poses for elders are:-
- Side warrior pose
- Simple reclining twist
- Relaxation pose
- Triangle pose
- Standing spinal twist
- Butterfly and child pose
- Cat stretch pose
Walking and jogging
Walking is the best option to leave behind a sedentary lifestyle that should be added to the routine. Seniors can go for at least a 30-minute walk. Jogging can be done a week thrice for 30 minutes. These are all seasonal activities. Regarding limited mobility, they can go for treadmills and walk around the house.
Cycling
Recently, cycling has gained popularity worldwide for providing a great cardio workout. We can buy a cycling stationary bike for our seniors.
Activities to Enhance Memory
As we age, bodily changes are inevitable. Seniors experience a hard time recalling things. They lose items real quick. Most seniors can restore memory involving highly practiced skills or factual and familiar information. However, semantic memory may continue to improve.Here I am listing some of the best fun indoor activities examples for senior adults that can exercise the brain to boost memory:-
Puzzles
Puzzles are interesting as they take approaches from different angles to solve problems. It involves our brains switching perspectives to work out something that isn’t making sense. Seniors can do word puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, etc., to keep their minds active. Requirements are easy depending upon the material. Cardboard puzzles are conventional.
Tray game
In this game, we must put random items in a tray, and seniors are asked to peek at it quickly. The articles are immediately covered after that. Then we let them recall everything in the tray within a time limit. It is a confidence-boosting mind exercise.
Learning a new instrument
Anyone can always be young enough to learn a musical instrument. Incorporating instruments in extracurricular is a perfect method to keep the mind stimulated. Some of the most accessible instruments for seniors are the piano, harmonica, ukulele, guitar, tambourine, fiddle, and many more.
Playing chess
Chess is a highly competitive game between two players. Studies have found that seniors who play chess achieve a lower risk of developing complications like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It improves creative and logical thinking.
Shopping list game
This game is about how many things we can remember at a time. This group activity begins with a participant saying, “I want to go to market and buy some…….” The next, followed by the next, will keep adding different items. At last, the first person has to repeat the whole list. The game continues till nobody can recall all things.
Activities for Relaxation
Relaxation is essential to keep the cardiovascular system healthy, reduce stress and eliminate mental problems. It has a significant impact on the immune system. For ordinary people, relaxation time could vary from a few minutes to a few hours. But older people should give time to themselves to relax.
Here are some relaxing activities for seniors:
Meditation
Older adults should practice deep breathing. For this, there are yoga studios and meditation classes. We do not need specific locations to meditate; meditation can be done on a chair, standing, walking, or lying down.
Spending time in a garden
When we get in touch with nature, breathe fresh air, and are exposed to sunshine, it rejuvenates the inner soul. Gardens enact peace, although we can add an al fresco dining space, play area, or a pool to enhance the relaxing experience.
Spa day
Spa therapy has plentiful benefits for seniors. It involves massage, acupressure, reflexology, facials, manicures, pedicures, and many more. It is suitable for the functioning of the lymphatic system, improves the sleep cycle, and reduces muscle pain.
Listening to soothing sounds
Soothing and calming music has a good range of choices, like the sounds of waterfalls, forests, and crickets. Seniors can also go for ambient and new-age music that may or may not have lyrics. There are lots of sources like audiobooks, podcasts, and apps for them.
Having a family get-together
The family getting together is the best stress management indoor activity for seniors, making them happy and healthy. But make sure each family member is involved by getting together and communicating effectively.
Activities to Do During Lockdown
Lockdown is isolating. The recent pandemic’s worst effect was experienced by seniors especially. The possibility or risk of mental and physical health problems was drastically increased. It intensified loneliness and anxiety among them. Although, there are many measures that we can take to enhance their mental health. The suggested activities for this are:-
Phone calls or video chats
Phone calls or video chats with family and friends keep the interaction active. That’s what lifts the spirit. It helps in eradicating hesitation to address any health issues with the known ones by our seniors.
Gardening
It is an enthusiastic activity that keeps them busy for longer. Nature provides a satisfying experience. Conversely, we can access fresh and healthy homegrown veggies or herbs. Seniors also love planting beautiful flowers in the garden.
Watching films
Movies provide a prompt spark to their emotional responses and influence their thoughts. Movies can be great for seniors as they suffer a lot of transitions in their lives, and limited mobility makes them feel low confidence. Some of the good movies for seniors are:-
- On Golden Pond-1981
- Walk the Line-2005
- All the President’s Men-1976
- Grumpy Old man-1993
- Driving Miss Daisy-1989
Drawing is an observation skill enhancement indoor activity that improves hand and eye coordination. Seniors often love drawing activities because they choose what they want to attract and exhibit emotional expression.
Knitting
Knitting is an excellent activity for mental dexterity during the lockdown. Seniors can learn unique stitches with different sizes of needles. It requires memory and speed processing.
Activities for People with Memory Issues
As the body starts aging, the likelihood of dementia increases, especially after the age of 65 years. It was estimated that 50% of people aged 85 years or older have this condition. They experience rapid loss of neurons, leading to memory loss, confusion, difficulty speaking, and many other symptoms.
This condition doesn’t mean we cannot do something that makes us happy. Here are some activities that could be beneficial for seniors:-
Playing card games
It helps boost various skills like concentration, problem-solving, and reasoning. This brain training activity is very versatile, for example, Snap, Fish, and Solitaire.
Art therapy
It involves crafting ideas for expression through visual art. Painting, drawing, and coloring provide tactile stimulation to the brain. Seniors find it more enjoyable compared to other activities.
Having a pet
Having a good pet enhances the quality of life. Seniors might find speech or hearing difficult; therefore, animals can provide the best company. They keep themselves engaged by looking after the pet. It has a significant impact on their behavioral problems as well.
Tai chi
It is an internal Chinese martial art involving slow and gentle movement with body postures. It is not strenuous but improves body strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance.
Playing board games
These are the tabletop games in which the boards are usually pre-marked. Games like checkers, chess, backgammon, monopoly, and Scrabble are engaging board games for older people with dementia.
Benefits of Indoor Activities for Seniors
Aging is a gradual natural process that causes body changes effectively. They experience changes in sight, hearing, speech, balance, and body strength. All these experiences are enough to make someone feel like falling ill. These are those experiences that only cause physical weakness but also cause mental damage. About two-thirds of seniors with mental problems aren’t getting treatment.
Although I cannot suggest a direct method, one of the best things to do is leisure activities. It involves actions based on consciousness, determination, unaffected choice, and cheerfulness. It directly cultivates temperament. Seniors indulged in cognitive improvement games or craft ideas have improved social interaction and mental stimulation.
Furthermore, the benefits of indoor activities for seniors are discussed below:
It brings happiness
Participation in various indoor summer or winter activities for seniors brings laughter and joy. It allows them to forget their pains, overcome fear and do whatever they want. It encourages them to take part more and achieve modest goals.
It brings the opportunity to socialize
Everyone has busy schedules, and seniors love when we take out some moments for them and spend quality time. Seniors feel gratitude and pleasure. Family time encourages them to share their emotions, experience, and perception.
It effectively reduces stress
Laziness and boredom are the biggest threat to seniors, as they generate inevitable thoughts and perceptions. Cognitive improvement games or other unique activities for seniors foster good mental health. These activities encourage a feeling of usefulness. It is a light-hearted appeal to raise excitement.
Enhance cognition and memory
Indoor activities challenge the part of the brain that plays a significant role in memory formation. Boosting brain function can also help by protecting it from age-related degeneration.
Boost the immune system
Indoor games bring inner joy and many positive feelings that trigger the release of certain chemicals that boost immunity.
Lowers risk of various diseases
Brain exercise helps in reducing cognitive decline. The risk of worsening diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is lowered.
How Can Elderly People Take Care Of Their Overall Health?
As much as physical health is essential, seniors should consistently look after their emotional wellness. Here is how we can ensure good emotional wellness listed below:-
Be active
Activities like walking, hiking, dancing, swimming, and yoga influence the release of endorphins, which helps the brain fight against mental illnesses.
Having a vital nutritious food
The process of cooking is a gratifying activity. The seniors can join a cooking class and prepare nutritious meals.
Learning any hobby
Learning a hobby is a self-care activity. It helps in building a positive outlook.
Taking enough sleep
Good quality sleep is mandatory, while sleep duration may keep changing with body requirements as we age. Seniors should take at least 8 hours of sleep.
Grooming
One should constantly be grooming after they start aging. Grooming is vital to be confident in our own body.
Fun activities may be indoor and outdoor. Indoor games are a great way for seniors to stay busy and engaged. Indoor activities for seniors, for example, printable games, dancing, or singing, are comparatively safer. By making them engage in indoor activities, we can keep an eye on them and take better care, especially for those with severe medical conditions. Every senior deserves a loving environment for their happiness and health, while leisure activities are surplus. Indoor activities for seniors should be encouraged.
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