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As your loved ones age, they might think all they will be able to do is sit in their senior center and look back on the life they once knew. This is not the case. There are activities out there they can do to lift their spirits and make the most out of their time wherever they are. Below are 10 uplifting activities you can suggest to your loved one(s) that they can do to help lift their mood and live their lives to the fullest.  

Traditional Games and Puzzles 

Traditional games like board games and card games provide a great way for your aging loved one to socialize with others and benefit from the joyful challenges of a little friendly competition. Games you could play would include Uno, Bingo, Bridge, Chess, Solitaire or Yahtzee. Also, putting together puzzles can help sharpen their mind and give your loved one a sense of accomplishment when they finish one.  

Gardening 

Getting outside can do wonders on the mood of a person, which is why you should try to get your aging loved one, as well as yourself, outside if the weather allows. Nature is filled with delightful sights, smells, sounds, as well as other things you may find enjoyable. Gardening is a great option for older adults who enjoy the outside but do not have the physical strength or mobility to do more strenuous activities. Although there are some gardening tasks that require more physical strength, there are basic tasks they can do such as raking, seed placement or watering.  

Higher Learning 

If your aging loved one is the academic type, you can give them the opportunity to take and participate in lectures that are going on or you can sign them up for a continuing education class as well. This is a fantastic way for them to maintain their mental alertness as well as their engagement. There are some senior centers and local community centers that provide these classes to your loved ones. You can also look at the nearby community colleges to see if they have any classes that your loved one may like.  

Spend Time Reading 

Another great activity for your aging loved one is reading. Reading is a terrific way for them to pass time and keep their brain engaged. It may also help to improve their memory, reduce stress, improve sleep, and delay cognitive decline. By reading, your loved one can immerse themselves in a remarkable story, look at the pictures, or learn about a new topic whether they like reading physical books, magazines, using an e-book, or listening to audiobooks. This will also open the opportunity to socialize as they could join a book club for the book they are reading.  

Explore Different Hobbies 

Either starting a new hobby or continuing an old one is a great way for older adults who have limited mobility to keep entertained. If they are looking for a new hobby, they could try cooking, baking, birdwatching, knitting, crocheting, indoor or container gardening, playing an instrument or learning a new language. Learning new hobbies is a fantastic way to keep your loved one’s mind active and prevent boredom.  

Write A Letter 

Sometimes older adults who are living in senior centers might want to write a letter to a friend or relative, especially if they are living out of state. This is a great way to stay connected with them and keep up to date with their lives. It will also brighten their day, especially when they receive a letter back.  

Arts and Crafts 

Allow their artistic side to run free by having older adults craft, whether it be painting, coloring, or any other type of crafting they may want to do. Invite them to paint using watercolors and/or acrylics, draw and sketch using chalk, markers, crayons, or pencils, knitting basic or more complex patterns, creating jewelry, making pottery, or taking part in other crafts. This is also a great way for them to socialize as they can sit with a group of people who enjoy crafting the same thing and start talking.  

Light Exercise 

Exercise is important even for older adults. If your loved one does not have great mobility, there are exercises they can do to get their bodies moving. It does not matter if the exercises they are doing are seated or standing, they both have great health and mood benefits. There are also exercises out there they can do with a walker for a little more stability. By using a walker to exercise, it will also allow your aging loved one to focus on their feet and ankles to reduce swelling.  

Cooking and Baking 

If your loved one is a foodie, then maybe try signing them up for some cooking classes or simply bringing them somewhere where they can cook or bake something. They can cook simple recipes or more complex ones, really depending on what they want. This will make them happy as it can bring them back to something they once loved to do, and it can allow them to have some social contact, therefore bringing their mood up as well.  

Music and Dancing 

All older adults can benefit from listening to music even if they have advanced dementia and/or cognitive impairments. Studies found that music therapy and various forms of music stimulation have had positive effects on older adults. Certain types of music can even trigger memories and support feelings of happiness from the past.  

Just because your loved ones are aging does not have to mean they must now sit inside and give up the life they once had. Staying active and socializing regularly can lift their spirits and drastically change their overall mood. By keeping them busy, it will make them feel as though they are young again!

If you have questions or need medical equipment to help your loved one(s) get around better so they can participate in these activities, be sure to reach out to EcoMedical for help!