As we age, we tend to put our hobbies aside due to work and family commitments. Little things we used to enjoy become long forgotten, but what if we told you it’s not too late to pick them up again? Though they seem like insignificant distractions, hobbies are essential to our health, especially when we reach our senior year.
Two million out of 34 million senior adults suffer from depression. One factor is isolation due to a lack of stimulating activities and social engagement.
Assisted living offers a supportive environment through engaging retirement community activities. These promote well-being, foster connections, and provide a sense of purpose.
From physical to leisure activities, they store a lot of fun for you to discover. Read on to find out what to expect in your life at a retirement community.
Exercise and Self-Defense
As individuals grow older, they become more prone to mobility issues. Aging is a factor that weakens the locomotor capability. Seniors also experience decreased muscle mass, joint stiffness, and chronic conditions.
Assisted living communities offer exercise classes based on the needs of the residents. You can join yoga and gentle aerobics to keep your body moving.
Aside from providing opportunities for movement, self-defense classes promote relaxation and stress relief. Whether for sports or practical needs, taking self-defense classes benefits seniors.
Learning self-defense can boost your self-esteem and instill a sense of empowerment. This promotes a greater sense of independence among residents. Ask for help from staff members to book you a class!
Music and Dance
Cognitive impairment is common among senior adults. Many struggle with memory, decision-making, and problem-solving. This can compromise their daily activities, relationship with others, and quality of life.
Music and dance help stimulate the brain, promote interaction, and enhance your overall well-being.
For instance, going through music therapy can improve cognitive health. Some types of music can trigger memories and lift your mood. Aside from music, dancing fosters connection and joy.
Attending classes gives you the chance to stay active while enjoying and socializing. It also improves balance, coordination, and cognitive function. From ballroom to salsa, many assisted living communities offer dance classes.
Volunteer Work
With your time, you can be productive by helping others. Engaging in this kind of activity brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose. It can also foster connections, boost self-esteem, and offer learning opportunities.
If helping others is close to your heart, consider doing volunteer work. Assisted living communities organize service activities within their local area. They allow senior adults to help at schools or join charity events.
Volunteer work benefits the recipients by providing essential services and support. At the same time, it provides seniors with means to contribute and stay connected in their local community.
Reading
Do you have an imaginative mind? Reading, which can transport you into a different world, is a timeless activity for all ages. From romance to adventure, there are different book genres in which to immerse yourself.
Joining a book club is another way to enjoy reading. You can meet other bookworms to discuss and share thoughts about the stories you read. It is an activity that encourages conversation, fosters community, and boosts literary exploration.
Many assisted living communities build well-stocked libraries within the vicinity. They organize book clubs where residents can explore a wide range of literature. Regardless of genre, reading offers endless opportunities for engagement and enjoyment.
Arts and Crafts
For senior activities, try exploring and enhancing your artistry through arts and crafts. Many assisted living communities offer art classes or crafting workshops for senior adults. With this, you can practice painting, pottery, knitting, and other creative pursuits.
Delving into the arts allows you to discover newfound creativity. Thinking without limits provides an outlet for self-expression and artistic exploration. In addition, you learn new skills and strive for growth.
With this, start your journey in arts and crafts. Explore different mediums and attend the classes or workshops offered by the community. After acquiring knowledge, incorporate what you learned by experimenting with simple projects.
Games and Puzzles
As you reach your senior years, you must keep your brain sharp. It maintains cognitive function, independence, and well-being.
Retirement communities give you the opportunity to play games and build puzzles with your peers. These are excellent tools for sharpening the mind and its engagement.
Most assisted living communities host game nights where anyone interested can join. Moreover, they often give you access to different games and puzzles that you can enjoy.
From classic board games to complex puzzles, what is your favorite to play? Some famous games include Scrabble, chess, jigsaw puzzles, and card games. With these activities, you can boost your cognitive function and social interaction.
Gardening or Woodworking
Are you interested in gardening or woodworking?
Connecting with nature through gardening is therapeutic and rewarding. From tending to plants to nurturing their growth, this provides physical exercise and mental stimulation. It also gives you the chance to reconnect with nature.
To grow flowers or produce, ask the staff members in your community to give you access to the garden. Most assisted living communities have outdoor spaces where you can plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables. As you start gardening, you begin to feel a sense of accomplishment towards yourself.
Another outlet is woodworking. Like gardening, it is another creative outlet you can do in your community. Some of them opened shops with tools and materials to make your craft. Whether making picture frames or furniture, woodworking allows you to express your creativity.
What Are the Engaging Retirement Community Activities Should You Look Forward To?
From exercises to excursions, there are many engaging retirement community activities. Assisted living communities provide fulfilling and enjoyable events that promote well-being. For senior living, there are ample range of activities that can enhance your quality of life.
With this, ensure to take part in different events in your retirement community. TerraBella Northridge organizes activities based on your interests. From live performances to recreations, we offer many opportunities for enrichment for seniors.
Reach out to learn more about our community and the ways that we help seniors live their best life.
