Mother Teresa once said, "Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty." Science has shown she was right by proving the dangers of loneliness.
It particularly rears its ugly head in old age. Lonely seniors have a 68% greater risk of developing dementia, according to The Topeka Capital-Journal. They may also begin to feel unwanted or bored.
Socialization is the solution, but it also must be combined with engagement. Assisted living communities need to create social clubs to allow members to perform engaging activities together.
The question is what they should center around. Read on to learn engaging activities to include in social clubs for seniors.
Assisted living communities create social clubs for their residents. They can even turn elderly social events into clubs. These events go on an activity calendar for everyone to see. It'll provide a special occasion to look forward to.
A group of residents who enjoy the events will start to come regularly and feel connected as they start to get to know each other.
What types of activities are best to include in these social events? Games are one of the best places to look for fun activities for seniors.
They promote socialization and friendly competition. They also sharpen the mind to prevent cognitive decline.
A few of the best options include:
Book clubs are also fun and mentally stimulating. By their very nature, they provide the mental benefits of reading such as:
Being part of a book club also provides a unique form of connection with others. It provides the opportunity to have more mentally stimulating conversations.
Group exercise classes are an entertaining way for seniors to maintain an active, engaged lifestyle.
Providing various classes to engage in is key. It lets everyone find an exercise they enjoy, encouraging them to return again and again. Focus on low-impact exercises such as:
The social element of the group is also essential. It fosters community interaction. That's a valuable element that can't be found when seniors work out alone in their room.
Silver Sneakers is one of the best pre-existing social groups for the elderly with a focus on health and wellness. It's easy to join their fitness programs and get involved in their network of:
Many of the most engaging senior hobbies involve creating something new. They may have always enjoyed making things for their family before they moved into the community.
A social club can help bring a piece of home back by encouraging them to create again. It will also reduce stress while improving self-esteem by creating a sense of accomplishment.
Clubs that revolve around different forms of arts and crafts are always an attractive option. Members could learn from a teacher to help them with:
Another engaging option is a cooking club. Making new dishes and gathering to share recipes is educational and enjoyable. There are few better ways to create connections than sharing your culture and traditions with others.
The idea that being part of an assisted living community means having to stay inside all day is a myth. Senior club activities that allow them to get outside help fight against this myth.
Gardening improves a wide range of health measures for older adults. The benefits were even comparable to traditional exercise. It reduces the risk of:
It also improves mental health. The peace of being out in nature growing plants is difficult to match.
A gardening club adds a social element and allows members to get outside and cultivate plants together. It provides the physical and mental benefits of social interaction and gardening itself.
Like with an arts-and-crafts club, there will be a physical result of their effort to look back on and be proud of. Like a cooking club, it can be educational. Members who don't have a green thumb can educate or swap seeds with those who do.
Low-stress trails are the perfect places for a walking club. Walking is one of the best exercises for older adults from a health perspective. The best part is it provides an opportunity to go out and explore nature.
There are also other nature-related activities to center a club around. Perhaps you want to follow in the steps of the National Audubon Society and set up a bird-watching club.
A travel club allows residents to see the world around them. Set up organized events to attend and safely take trips to nearby attractions or far-away wonders.
It creates memories that will last forever. It also creates bonds with fellow members who went with them.
An assisted living community can give back to the world around them. This is done by creating a club around volunteer opportunities such as:
These volunteer efforts don't only help others. Volunteering improves mental and physical health, especially for older adults. The benefits include:
A club isn't the only way to start volunteering. AmeriCorps Seniors is an organization that connects seniors with local community needs. They can help connect community members with real needs.
Social clubs let seniors interact with each other in safe and engaging ways. They include scheduled events or activities such as exercising, arts and crafts, cooking, gardening, or travel.
Arbor View provides the personalized support you'd expect and so much more. We put the active in activities.
We offer residents a full calendar to provide opportunities all residents will enjoy. This includes games, educational classes, and tours of the beautiful local Burlington, WI, area. Contact us to learn more about our senior living community today.