The number of Americans above the age of 65 is expected to double from 52 million to 95 million between 2018 and 2060. With seniors spending more time inside, the older generation is starting to get bored.
Thankfully, there are so many fun activities for seniors to choose from!
Are you taking care of a senior during the quarantine? Keep reading to discover five fun-filled indoor activities for seniors. With these tips, you and the senior in your life can bond and make the most of this time inside.
Mix up the routine with these five fun indoor activities!
1. Stretch It Out
Getting stuck inside can make anyone feel lethargic. However, daily exercise is important, especially for seniors. Sitting still all day could cause their bodies to deteriorate faster.
Instead of sitting around, get active! Encourage your senior to try a new exercise routine. If they’re not very mobile, there are even seated exercises and chair yoga exercises they can try.
There are also exercises seniors who use walkers can use.
Making a new exercise routine can improve a senior’s mental health and cognitive function. It can also prevent heart disease and diabetes. Try daily stretches that can improve your senior’s endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance, too!
2. Get Creative
There are many indoor activities for seniors that focus on encouraging their creative side. For example:
- Coloring
- Drawing
- Painting
- Sculpting
- Creating a recipe book
- Organizing family photos
- Creating scrapbooks
Creativity can decrease negative emotions, reduce stress, and even improve a person’s immunity.
If these activities don’t appeal to your senior, try working on a puzzle together.
Studies show that jigsaw puzzles can help keep a senior’s mind active. Puzzles can even target parts of the brain that are deteriorating due to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
3. Learn a New Skill
Developing a new skill is another great way to keep a senior’s mind sharp and active. For example, they might want to pick up knitting for the first time or playing an instrument. Help your senior find helpful tutorial videos on YouTube to give them a great place to start.
There are also thousands of free courses and other senior activity ideas available online.
4. Start Cooking
Too many seniors begin to neglect their nutrition as they age. Cooking as a family is a great way to make sure everyone is getting the proper vitamins and nutrients.
Is there an old family recipe you’ve always wanted to learn? Now’s your chance! Gather the ingredients and ask your senior for instructions.
Activities for the elderly can improve their social engagement with others, too.
5. Watch Home Movies
Don’t let those old VHS tapes collect dust. Instead, why not watch your old home movies together? You can even digitize your old movies to make it easier for them to watch whenever they’d like.
Staying Inside: 5 Fun-Filled Indoor Activities for Seniors
Stay inside and keep your loved ones safe. With these five fun-filled indoor activities for seniors, you can make the most of your time together. Have fun with these senior activity ideas today!
Explore the Lifestyle section for more helpful guides.
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