As we get older, we naturally lose some of our physical agility and mental acumen. But that doesn’t mean we have no control over our physical and mental durability. One of the best ways to slow these declines as we age is to continue to workout our muscles – both our body and our brain! Carrying out enjoyable activities and learning new ones is the best way to stay happy, healthy and capable well into old age.
While these activities might not look as rigorous as when you were younger, there are plenty of effective and fun at-home activities that can stimulate the body, the mind, and build social connections. In this blog, we’ll share what fun home activities for the elderly you can try, and some of the benefits these activities have for seniors.
Why Is Staying Active So Important?
Staying physically and mentally active into old age helps us maintain our overall health and quality of life.
By maintaining our physical strength, we are able to continue to carry out daily tasks and maintain independence while reducing the risk of falls and injuries. Staying mentally active can improve memory, concentration, and emotional well-being – and can even reduce the risk of cognitive decline. It has also shown to help us feel more connected, purposeful, and less isolated or lonely.
If your goal is to continue to live a connected and independent life free from serious health concerns, keeping your rain and body moving is one of the best things you can do as you age.
10 At-Home Activities That Benefit Seniors
So, what can old people do at home for fun that will also keep them active? There are plenty of choices, which means you can pick one that best fits your ability and their interests. Here are our top 10 suggestions.
Gardening
Gardening is great for relaxation, daily Vitamin D, and low impact physical activity – plus it has the added benefit of keeping your home tidy and well looked after! If you have a green thumb and a garden space available to you, gardening once or twice a week can deliver great mental and physical health benefits.
Puzzles & Games
Puzzles and games have been proven to keep our brains sharp and help fight mental decline. Whether it’s mental puzzles like sudokus and crosswords or classic games like chess, regularly engaging in these games can help improve our memory, reasoning and problem solving. The great news is they are widely available both online and in physical forms, and can be played together or alone.
Reading
Reading is one of the great joys of life that shouldn’t be abandoned as we age. Reading can help us learn new skills, understand new concepts, or simply improve our imagination and creativity. Reading can also be used to incite social connection through book clubs and discussion about our favourite stories.
Cooking & Baking
Cooking is both practical and fun, and is a great activity to do with anyone from friends to grandchildren. Whether it’s learning to cook for yourself, incorporating more healthy foods into your diet, or passing on your kitchen skills, cooking is a hugely beneficial activity that can be enjoyed regularly.
Journalling
Journalling is great for anyone of any age, helping us to relax and reflect. For older people, this could also take on an autobiographical form, writing down or sharing the story of their life and experiences with others to keep their history alive.
Exercising
Whether it’s walking around the block, a slow yoga workout or doing a seated routine with some light weights (or anything in between), home exercise can be completely personalised to you. The great news is that even the smallest amount of exercise can have a big impact, making it easier to go about your day and take part in activities you enjoy.
Dancing & Music
Music is the great connector and brings intrinsic joy and movement to us all. Dancing, or simply sitting and enjoying music, can help relax but also inhibit memories and stories to share.
Knitting or Crocheting
This sounds like a classic older person activity – but that’s for good reason! It works the brain and the hands, helping with concentration, memory and fine motor skills. It’s a fun activity for any age or ability and the end product can create a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Connecting Online
Older people can often feel like technology is beyond their reach and isn’t a space that is made available to them. While it can be harder for older people to grasp new technology, they don’t need to understand how everything works to benefit from it. Connecting with friends and family and keeping engaged with the world online can help fight feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Talking
Sometimes there is nothing better than a good chat. Social isolation is a major issue for older people and can lead to a fast decline in mental and physical health. Having regular, engaging conversations with someone can help build connections and feelings of fulfilment.
Keep Older People Engaged Through Home Care
Staying connected with friends and family is important as we age, but not everyone is able to maintain daily or weekly interaction with loved ones. That’s where home care can help, providing support workers who can help older people stay engaged, active and social.
Home care services in Melbourne can provide everything from personal care to domestic assistance and social support. Whether it’s just dropping by for a chat or helping to plan and take part in fun activities, home care workers can play an important role in keeping older people active and healthy.
Not sure
how to choose home care providers that can provide individualised support services? Get in touch with People First Healthcare to discuss your needs and find services that fit.
