– By Paul Foresman –
When we moved Mom in to live with us after her fall and rehab, we wondered how life would change. Engaging activities helped her to thrive. Here is my top 10 list of activities for engaging seniors at home, plus 10 more you’ll want to explore!
Top 10 More Activities For Engaging Seniors At Home
1. Cooking and Baking
One of Mom’s specialties was making pies. Nobody made better ones, and she loved treating us all. Cooking and baking allowed her to express her creativity and try new dishes. It also provided her with a sense of accomplishment.
2. Jigsaw Puzzles
Working on jigsaw puzzles can help improve memory, concentration, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail. With mild arthritis, picking up and positioning jigsaw puzzle pieces worked Mom’s finger dexterity. Jigsaw puzzles can also help relieve stress and bring about calm.
3. Mental Puzzles
Crossword puzzles were Mom’s favorite. It was the most important page of the newspaper and she rightfully claimed they kept her mind sharp. Word-search puzzles, Sudoku, and memory challenges are also mentally stimulating activities, providing a sense of satisfaction upon completion. Large print editions of puzzle books can usually be found at your local discount store, or numerous apps and websites offer a tech-savvy approach to enjoying a variety of puzzles, catering to different interests and skill levels.
4. Exercise
Staying physically active is crucial for maintaining health and independence. After her fall, we wondered if Mom would ever walk again. But her doctors and rehab therapists were wonderful, and she regained walking (albeit with the help of a walker.) There’s even an elderly woman in our neighborhood who walks her neighbors’ dogs!
5. Classic Games
Classic games are fantastic indoor activities that keep seniors entertained while sharpening their cognitive skills. Mom’s favorite was Scrabble® (goes along with her love of crosswords!) Engaging in games such as Monopoly®, Scrabble®, or bridge offers hours of entertainment and mental stimulation for seniors at home, fostering nostalgia and connection
6. Gardening
The smell of the lilacs…the zinnias in full bloom…fresh tomatoes and strawberries…even growing up Mom enjoyed nurturing plants at home. Even when she could no longer easily get on her hands and knees, watering plants helped her stay active and connect with nature.
7. Virtual Tours
Mom enjoyed travel shows and the National Geographic channel when she had cable TV. Nowadays, seniors can take virtual tours of museums, national parks, and famous landmarks, satisfying curiosity without leaving home. Virtually touring famous places is sure to spark joy and conversation for your loved one.
8. Movie Nights
I’ll never forget how Mom enjoyed watching It’s a Wonderful Life on our living room wall. We moved the furniture and the pictures, allowing a 10-foot area to project onto. For her, it was a combination of nostalgia and seeing it again for the first time. Movie nights are not just about watching films but about creating memories and fostering connections.
9. Lifelong Learning
Mom was a schoolteacher with a love for learning. With the internet, there is no limit to what can be learned. Seniors can stay intellectually active by researching topics online, enrolling in online courses, and participating in webinars. Lifelong learning supports seniors in maintaining mental sharpness and expanding their knowledge throughout later life.
10. Technology for Connectivity
It was the stuff of science fiction: “free” long-distance calls and Zoom video calls bringing family from around the country together. Then there were her grandkids’ and great-grandkids’ social media posts with photos taken just minutes before. Mom didn’t have to understand how it all worked; she just appreciated the new ways of connecting with loved ones.
10 More Activities For Engaging Seniors at Home to Explore!
11. Join an Online Book Club
Reading is not only fulfilling but also keeps the brain active and enhances memory and cognitive skills. By joining an online book club seniors can connect with others around commonalities and shared interests. Local libraries or senior centers may have online book clubs or check out AARP’s Senior Planet Book Club.
12. Share Your Life Story
Do your family and friends really know you? They might know of your passions, but do they know why you’re passionate about those things? Here’s a novel idea – have family members interview you. (It might even satisfy a school assignment for your grandkids or great-grandchildren.) What was life like growing up? School? Favorite activities? Obstacles overcome? A chronological approach or looking through photo albums are good places to start. Create a simple document and add photos. This is a gift to future generations in your family!
13. Create Music Playlists
Creating themed music playlists is as almost much fun as listening to them! Music has the power to transport us back in time to special places and experiences. From curating favorite songs to deciding which performers belong in which playlist, “our” music has a special place in our lives.
14. Knitting, Crocheting
Knitting and crocheting provide a creative outlet for relaxation and self-expression. IT can also be a rewarding experience teaching younger generations. The tactile and rewarding experience offers a sense of achievement and can produce hand-made items that can be given as cherished gifts. Don’t let a lack of know-how get in the way. Join a knitting workshop or ask a friend for instructions.
15. Birding
Did you know watching and listening to birds was found to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress? Birdscaping (attracting birds to your home through plantings, water, and feeders) adds the health benefits of being outside in nature. One of our clients, Jean, had feeders and a birdbath close to her eating area windows and enjoyed birdwatching year-round!
16. Keep a Gratitude Journal
Sure, we all have disappointments, even “down” days. Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to enhance mood and well-being. Appreciation is a choice, and practicing appreciation can literally rewire the brain, strengthening positive emotions and weakening negative ones. Make a habit of starting the day by “counting your blessings” and writing them down!
17. Being an Encourager
Some of your gratitude journal entries will be appreciation for others. Share those! Few things compare with a compliment, being recognized, or a kind word. Make it a point to make someone’s day – every day – with the words you say!
2 of Cindy’s inspirational notecards
18. Notes of Inspiration
Cindy was in her 60s when she started creating inspirational notecards. Utilizing the postcard template in Canva, a free software program, she adds Bible verses and floral borders and then prints them on cardstock paper. She keeps some for home decoration and gives some away, brightening people’s day.
19. Virtual Volunteering
Virtual volunteering became popular a few years ago when traditional volunteering activities were restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many local and global organizations need volunteers to carry out their missions. Find an opportunity that aligns with your interests, and then help them do even more good!
20. Reminiscence Therapy
This activity is particularly valuable for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Utilizing familiar objects such as photos, music, or even scents, can help aged loved ones recall and discuss past experiences. By reminiscing about significant life events, seniors can reconnect with their personal histories and experience a sense of validation and belonging. This also allows professional Caregivers to foster a deeper connection with their clients and learn more about their personal histories, strengthening their bond and understanding.
Your Sunlight Caregiver can help in Engaging Seniors at Home
Engaging seniors at home starts with being present for them – the first benefit our Caregivers provide – reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Second, Sunlight’s Caregivers can provide assistance and support to engage in physical, cognitive, and social activities, tailored to your or your loved one’s interests and abilities. (More – Routine In-Home Care That’s Anything But “Routine”.) Sometimes all that is needed is an enthusiastic suggestion to engage in favorite activities or try new ones! By incorporating diverse activities into daily living, our in-home care services in Des Moines, Lincoln, and Omaha/Council Bluffs help ensure that our seniors lead fulfilling and vibrant lifestyles, fostering a sense of joy, creativity, and connection.
