Fun Indoor Activities for Seniors
The summer temperatures are on the rise. Which means many senior citizens will be seeking the refuge of the air conditioner. Even though many may think of summer activities as mainly outdoor activities, there are multiple ways to have a good time while staying cool indoors.
As people age, the mind and body slowly deteriorates. A 2019 study found that leisure or free time activities can positively benefit cognitive function, physical function, and mental health in older adults. It’s important that older people continue to stay active, especially when the weather is less than desirable. Indoor activities are very beneficial and can positively affect the mind and body in many ways. With benefits ranging from learning and physical abilities to cognitive functions and mental health.
We’ve compiled a list here to help you find some fun indoor activities for seniors to enjoy in the cool, comfort of their homes.
Indoor Gardening
You can bring the outdoors inside this summer by doing some indoor gardening. There are multiple ways you can garden indoors when the weather has you stuck inside. You can create a small indoor garden of flowers or herbs. Watching new life grow from tiny seeds can be entertaining and satisfying. Once the seeds grow into flowers or herbs you can continue enjoying them either by looking at the flowers or eating the herbs. If you have a flower garden outside, you can bring them inside to create a lovely flower bouquet to add some fresh decor to your home, handmade bouquets are also a nice gift for someone special.
For seniors with cognitive or physical disabilities a cactus or succulent garden may be easier since they are less demanding. They need less water and care than other plants but are still cute and enjoyable to watch grow. Also with just some clay pots, acrylic paints, and brushes you can create some unique containers for your indoor garden. Or go a step further and create a terrarium with several different kinds of plants, that can be a fun way to decorate your home.
Games
Games are always fun indoor activities. There are many games that can be played solo. Word searches, word scrambles, puzzles, sudoku, crosswords, and memory games are fun games to pass the time by yourself. These types of games are also great for helping with cognitive and brain function. Games like trivia or “fill in the blanks” stories can be found on a computer and printed out. Video games, board games, or card games can be played alone or with multiple people. Chances are, you have some games tucked away in a closet or shelf that’s waiting to be dusted off and played this summer. Many senior centers, churches, and recreation centers have gaming events for seniors that allow seniors to play games and socialize indoors, check out your local area to find what is available for you.
Reading and Writing
Reading is an enjoyable activity that can be done alone or with a group. Check out your favorites or find something new at your local library or look on your own shelves, maybe you have some books that you haven’t read yet. Find a book club to discuss the books you’re reading. A great place to find a book club to fit your reading preference could be at church groups, the local library, or your personal friend groups.
Writing is another pleasurable activity that can be done indoors. Writing can be very therapeutic for many people and it’s a great way to share your stories and memories with other people. Write poetry or short stories, put your thoughts in a journal, or write your own memories in a memoire. If you’re unable to physically write or type, you can record your voice and have someone else inscribe it for you.
Arts and Crafts
There are many ways to do arts and crafts while indoors. Paint a picture, work on a sewing or knitting project, or color in a coloring book. If you don’t see yourself as an artist, maybe it’s time to learn a new skill. You can learn almost anything with technology like YouTube or other phone apps. Learn how to make homemade soap, arrange flowers, or paint a beautiful picture. Arts and craft projects are a fun way to pass the time inside and you’ll have something to enjoy long after the process of making it. You can also visit museums for some arts and crafts inspiration. Many museums and libraries have free or low cost arts and crafts classes.
Baking and Cooking
Everybody has to eat, so why not make it a fun activity this summer. Spending time in the kitchen either alone or with others can be a relaxing way to spend time indoors. Cook your favorite meal or bake some tasty treats for yourself or to share. Or perhaps learn how to make something new like a cool, refreshing, homemade ice cream.
Combine writing with cooking and create your very own cookbook. Many people have a collection of favorites or family recipes, so put them together into a book that can be shared with others. You can create a cookbook with as little or as much money as you want. For a homemade cookbook, print out your recipes and put them in a binder. For a professional looking cookbook, there are services online that allow you to submit the contents of your book digitally and they will print and ship your cookbook to you.
Invite People Over for Small Gatherings
If you’re spending too much time alone and indoors you may get bored or lonely. Invite some friends or family over for a small gathering. A movie night, karaoke night, game night, or tea party are entertaining ways to pass the time with others at home. Let your guests know what kind of gathering you plan to have so they can plan accordingly. Choose your movie or game, or find a good karaoke playlist on YouTube and don’t forget the themed (healthy) snacks.
Self Care
Time spent indoors is the perfect time to spend doing some self care. Self care can be anything from doing some form of exercise to having a spa day at home. There are many forms of exercise that can be done at home. If you don’t own any exercise videos or DVDs, you can find exercise videos on YouTube ranging from dance and Zumba to yoga and calisthenics. You are sure to find something to fit your mobility needs. Remember to check with your doctor before starting any new exercises. You can also practice self care by pampering yourself with a foot soak or a DIY manicure. Doing little acts of self care can boost your mood when you’re unable leave the house due to the weather.
In Home Care for the Elderly to Support Seniors, Caregivers and Families in Arkansas.
Superior Senior Care is Arkansas’s oldest, most trusted name in in-home care services, we prioritize your peace of mind. We offer referrals for a variety of levels of elderly care and services, with both short and long-term options. All the senior caregivers on our registry undergo thorough screenings and comprehensive background checks and are trained to work with clients in everything from household duties to grocery shopping. We’ve helped families with a variety of chronic conditions including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, lung disease and more.
For more information on our home health services offering, please contact us today at (888) 503-5879 or visit our website at https://www.superiorseniorcare.com/our-services/
As the first accredited registry in Arkansas, we have more than 35 years of experience and thousands of happy customers. Access to our large client registry means stability for you and the best chance to match you with just the right family. If you are interested in becoming a caregiver on our registry, fill out and electronically submit our pre-screening referral application here: https://www.superiorseniorcare.com/caregiving-opportunities/
References:
Add Comment