What Can Seniors Do When They Are Bored
Boredom is well, boring, but more so than that, it might not be best for a seniors health.
When people are bored, their mental health can plummet.
Thats not all. A Psychology Today article cites a study that found that recurring boredom could increase ones risk of cardiovascular disease death compared to those who dont feel bored.
The best thing to do is to help older family members stay engaged, whether you can be there with them or not.
Here are some activities a senior can do today.
Create A Ship In A Bottle
Because aging is associated with the loss of fine motor skills, picking up hobbies such as creating a ship in a bottle is a great way to practice keeping these important skills intact. Maintaining your strength and coordination in the small muscles in your hands will help you continue to complete everyday tasks independently, such as eating, writing, or just changing the TV channel.
Creating a ship in a bottle is a classic hobby that leads to a final product that will amaze people as they try to imagine how you got this big ship onto such a small bottle.
This hobby requires a steady hand and dedication, but is definitely something that you can focus on for hours as you create your masterpieces. And, you dont have to stick with just ships there are a ton of other intricate things you can make inside of bottles..
Resource: Here is a guide to help you with building a ship in a bottle.
Learn To Play Your Favorite Instrument
Most of us have a favorite instrument that we always enjoy listening to. While learning to play an instrument takes a lot of dedication and patience, it is a really nice way to stay busy when youre older and bored. The benefits of playing an instrument make it worth the first few awkward tries and feeling silly. It improves hand-eye coordination, helps enhance short memory, and improves fine motor skills.
Once you get started, learning your favorite instrument can bring you hours of joy. Learning an instrument is also an excellent way to meet like-minded people of all ages who love the same music as you.
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Meaningful Activities For Seniors With Limited Mobility
The passage of time takes a toll on our bodies, and some seniors develop health issues that makes moving and walking difficult.
However, its still essential for caregivers to motivate older clients to be more active. Sitting or lying in one position for hours at a time can increase joint stiffness, body pain, and depressed feelings.
A sedentary lifestyle often leads to muscle decomposition and decreased flexibility. Luckily, by encouraging exercise, you help improve your clients body strength, range of motion, balance, and most importantlyoverall health.
For clients with limited mobility, modify their program with a few innovative chair exercises, such as:
- Stretching to increase flexibility & reduce stiffness
- Follow an armchair exercise video while using small weights
If your client is reluctant to perform any physical exercises, try to figure out why. Ask them questions like:
- Are you in pain?
- Do you feel sad or melancholy?
- Does the thought of exercise make you anxious?
These are all common emotions, so its important to find out why they feel reluctant to engage in physical activity. Finding practical ways to resolveor at least improvethese concerns goes a long way toward helping your client reach their personal fitness goals.
Encourage exercises that are safe for your senior, and add some fun, stress-relieving activities to alleviate any anxieties or inner turmoil that may exist.
Listen To Radio Lento
Radio Lento makes it possible to listen to the relaxing and tranquil sounds of the great outdoors from home! The Radio Lento podcast is full of immersive 3D soundscapes created by recording the authentic sounds of nature with highly sensitive microphones. Great for falling asleep to. Submitted by Mary.
We want to hear what you’re doing during lockdown. Send your suggestions of activities for older adults to Jacob, our resident Curator of Positive Ideas, at
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The Lake Wales Art Council
The Lake Wales Art Council was founded in 1972 to preserve and promote art within the community. The council hosts many annual events, such as the Sidewalk Art Show, to fuel the fire of creative culture with an emphasis on bettering the community.
Visit their beautiful headquarters, which is just over an hour from Orlando and is situated in a historic Catholic Church built in 1927.
Activities During The Covid
Long-term care facilities across the country have been impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns. Senior care community leaders continue to focus on keeping residents safe and coronavirus-free.
At the same time, managers also recognize that residents need enriching experiences that keep them connected to their families and surrounding neighborhoods. Fortunately, Spectrum Retirement Communities leaders rose to the challenge.
Across the country, Spectrums staff members designed an inviting menu of home activities. Each fun activity has been a big hit with Spectrum communities residents across the country and should be adaptable to assisted living communities of any size.
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Visit An Animal Shelter
Like the positive effect of the sun, spending time with furry animals can reduce stress and depression. If a senior loves cats and dogs, ask the local shelter if there are gentle animals that they could interact with for a while. The animals will love being out of their crates, and the seniors will enjoy cuddles and a possible walk.
Shopping Trip At The Mall
Malls are a fantastic place to spend a quiet afternoon. The broad, flat surfaces allow for easy walking and wheelchair access. Plus, there are plenty of shopping and eating options for you to choose from if you wish.
Even so, there is no need to buy anything. Taking a walk around the mall and window shopping can be quite enjoyable. Malls typically have plenty of benches where you or an older adult can rest if they need to.
While indoor malls are likely the most common, there are also plenty of outdoor malls that seniors who prefer to stay outdoors can navigate with ease.
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# Research Your Ancestry & Make A Family Tree
What are you waiting for? Start searching your family tree today!
Many people are unaware that one of the most exciting and unique activities for seniors to participate in is researching their family history. This may be done on a local or national level, with library resources being another excellent choice if they dont already have access where they live.
Once gathered all information regarding oneselfs past including any records related thereto like birth certificates-it becomes fun making a family tree together figuring out exactly who we belong among while discovering new discoveries about our backgrounds along the way.
There are numerous benefits for seniors who delve into their familys history like this foremost among them is the increased sense of self-awareness and identity it can bring about . But its also a great opportunity to form new relationships with cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. that one may have never even known existed!
So get started today and see where the journey takes you.
Attend A Religious Worship Place
Religion may be important to a person with dementia. Taking them to a place of worship, such as a church, mosque, or synagogue, may help them to connect with others in their community.
Going to a place of worship may also help the person with dementia feel a sense of belonging and spirituality, and may stimulate happy memories.
A person who has dementia may have difficulty planning their day by themselves.
The suggests the following tips for a person to help someone who has dementia plan their day:
- try and do things at a similar time each day
- match the activity to the persons ability
- choose activities that are fun for everyone
- help the person get started
- watch to see if the person gets frustrated
- ensure the person has fun and feels successful
- let them watch the activity if they prefer
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Play Card Games Or Board Games
Card games are a great activity for seniors, especially those who arent suffering from dementia.
Holding and laying down cards isnt physically strenuous, and with so many fun card games, many nights can be filled playing go fish and poker.
Board games are another idea in this same vein.
Try to stick to better-known board games. Games with simpler rules are often better for seniors.
Walk Through A Local Park
Parks and botanical gardens can be a breath of fresh air literally! The wide-open fields and picturesque paths are good for the soul.
If you would like to go walking and enjoy the nice weather, check out the trails before going. Look for the flattest trail options that will be easy to navigate. Any bumps or hills could be a point of frustration or a potential hazard for an older individual.
If long walks arent an option, other park activities can include sitting by the pond, feeding the ducks, and reveling in natures beauty on a nearby park bench.
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Top 10 Maui Activities For Seniors
One of the best things about visiting Maui is the fact that everyone, no matter if youre 5 or 95, can appreciate its beauty. From the rolling clouds over the West Maui Mountains to watching the sunrise atop Haleakala Volcano to relaxing on some of the Aloha States most stunning beaches, Maui holds a special place for everyone who visits.
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum Of American Art
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park houses the worlds largest collection of works from Louis Comfort Tiffany. Between the art glass, beautiful pottery, and paintings, this historic museum is a must-see. The venue offers a senior discount, making it one of the best and most affordable things to do in Orlando for seniors.
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Play Cards Or Other Games
Another good way to get your family member involved in fun activities is by playing games with them. There are so many card games that you can play, and youll be able to share a family bonding moment with your senior loved one. Some good Christmas party games include Apples To Apples, Balderdash, Pictionary, and many more.
Tend To An Indoor Garden
For seniors who are home bound or cant physically work in a traditional garden, it can be devastating to feel like you cant enjoy the gardening activities you love.
However, there are still plenty of ways to get involved in gardening, even if you cant get out into the yard.
One option is container gardening. This type of gardening allows you to grow plants in pots or other containers, which can be kept on a porch or patio.
Another option is community gardening in your local area.
Many communities have gardens that are open to the public, and some even have specific plots set aside for seniors.
Community gardens are a wonderful way to meet other gardeners and enjoy the outdoors.
Finally, many nurseries and garden centers offer classes and workshops specifically for seniors.
These classes can provide an opportunity to learn about new plants and planting techniques, as well as socialize with other seniors who share your love of gardening.
Whatever your situation, theres sure to be a gardening activity thats perfect for you.
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Stretch And Balance Sessions
Stretch and balance sessions are a great way to keep your senior citizens active and engaged in their community. These sessions are specifically designed to help seniors improve their flexibility, strength, and balance.
These sessions are held in indoor areas that have low lighting and soft music playing in the background. Each session begins with stretching exercises that work on the muscles in each participants arms, legs, back, chest, and neck. After the stretching exercises are complete, participants will be asked to perform a series of balance tests on a balance mat. This helps participants learn how their body responds when they try to stand up straight with their feet together or when they move from side to side without losing their balance.
After completing these exercises, participants will enjoy an activity that involves teamwork or cooperation between two or more people. The goal is for everyone involved to work together so that no one gets hurt while trying out different activities such as bowling or playing miniature golfing games!
Fun And Engaging Indoor Activities For Senior Citizens
Indoor activities for seniors can be hard to come by, especially if youre older and have been living in the same place for years. Its not always easy to find new things to do! But dont worryweve got you covered. Here are 31 creative indoor activities that will help keep your mind sharp and your body active.
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Chair Yoga For Seniors: A 30 Minute Routine
You might want to do this 30 minute routine of gentle chair yoga along with your older adult so they can watch your movements.
Its a fun activity to do together and youll get the health benefits too!
The only equipment thats needed is a sturdy chair that allows your older adults feet to touch the floor.
An optional accessory is a belt, strap, or long hand towel to aid in stretching.
In case you want to skip around, weve noted the time markers for each section of the routine.
Warm up poses for heat and circulation This is a great way to warm up the body, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
This section lasts 10 minutes and could be a nice short routine in itself.
Standing poses for balance and strength These yoga poses are done while holding on to the back of the chair.
If your older adult isnt strong or balanced enough to do this section safely, it might be safer to skip it.
Lower body poses for flexibility In this section, a belt or strap helps with stretching any long belt, strap, small towel, or sturdy rope will do.
Even if your older adult doesnt use a belt, they can still benefit from the movements.
Shavasana Shavasana is a restful pose usually done at the end of a yoga class. Just relax and focus on breathing slowly and deeply.
Closing Instructor Sherry wraps up the class.
# Become An Umpire Or Referee
Sports are a great way to stay active, and they can also be a lot of fun. Why not become an umpire or referee for your favorite sport? This is a great way to get involved in the sport you love, and its also a great way to stay active.
What I can tell you is that theres a lot of sports ahead for you to get involved in. Why not be an official? You could make money doing so! Official positions include everything from umpires and referees, all the way up through executive staff members like coaches or executives with major league teamsits your choice what kind OFFICIAL duties sound most appealing.
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Exciting Activities For Senior Citizens
Karen is a freelance writer with more than 25 years of experience writing for an array of publications, including authoring several books.
Active seniors know how to keep the good times rolling with senior citizen activities for the body, mind, and spirit. No one type is more important than another. A full, vibrant, and independent life demands all three. Whether you are a healthy retiree or in need of a little physical, mental, or emotional “tune-up,” there are plenty of fun activities for seniors to suit your needs. Now, find events for seniors near you.
Music Reaches Those With Alzheimers Or Dementia
Another benefit is that music helps people reminisce and go back and relate to emotions and experiences. Thats why its often recommended for people with Alzheimers or dementia. It reduces anxiety and agitation and boosts happiness and engagement.
The documentary Alive Inside is a great example of how music can reach people with even very advanced dementia.
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How Can I Find Beginner Tai Chi Classes
If you’re new to the practice, a live class is the best way to start. That way, you can get feedback on your form and meet other fans of the martial art.
You can find classes at recreation facilities like the YMCA. Tai chi is also offered at many community centers. And martial arts clubs often have classes for beginners.
And if you know a Chinese medicine practitioner, such as an acupuncturist, ask whether he or she has any recommendations.
This martial art doesn’t have national standards for licensing or certification, although associations may have their own standards for instructors. You can find instructors who are certified by the Tai Chi for Health Institute on the group’s website. As well, the American Tai Chi and Qigong Association provides a search tool to find instructors.
Since a good instructor will help you learn the basics and influence how much you enjoy the activity, you should try to meet an instructor in person before committing to a class. Make sure you feel comfortable with him or her.
Puzzles And Coloring Books
Puzzles are great for seniors because they help train your organizational skills and short-term memory.
Another benefit that puzzles provide is their relaxing qualities. As the pieces fit together, they can lower your loved ones stress levels and boost their spirits.
Coloring books are another calming activity and a mentally stimulating creative outlet. On the physical side, coloring books improve hand-eye coordination and hand nimbleness.
Plus, your loved ones dont need to stay within the lines! Encourage them to be creative with their coloring.
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