Finding a senior living community with a truly dynamic and creative activity program isn’t as easy as you might think. Too many communities focus on the “same old, same old” activities like bingo. While there’s nothing wrong with bingo, and many seniors enjoy it, there should be other options and interesting new activities as well. Research shows that stimulating senior minds and bodies is critical to their long-term well-being and reduces the incidence of senior depression. So if you or your loved ones are looking at a move to a senior care community in the New Year, take a close look at the activity calendar and be sure to interview the activity director to get a sense of his or her philosophy and approach to senior activity planning.
Here are a few activities and activity calendar ideas that might inspire and motivate your residents for the New Year:
- Let it snow
In the cold winter months when residents might be cooped up inside because of inclement and dangerous weather conditions outside, make sure there are fun activities to get them out of their apartments and into a warm and sociable event. Consider a crafts event that ties into the cold weather season, such as scarf or hat knitting classes. Have a ‘snow and tell’ evening where those residents who like to share stories of their lives can talk about past winter adventures or fun ski trips.
- Football fever
January brings bowl games and NFL playoffs, and February ushers in the biggest sports day of the year – Super Bowl Sunday. Be sure to plan some football parties for the sports fans in your community – men and women both love football! Offer some football theme foods and if your local team is still playing, have a biggest fan contest for the best dressed, most passionate fan.
- National events activities
Each month brings some sort of special day that residents might enjoy celebrating. February 12 celebrates Lincoln’s birthday – consider showing a movie about Abe in your community theater. There’s also Valentine’s Day and President’s Day. March 17 is a day for Irish leprechauns and fun, as we all love to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
- Heavenly happenings
For the stargazers and planet watchers, fill in the activity calendar with key celestial events in 2013. Weather permitting, get your residents outside to watch a meteor shower or a full moon on an especially clear night. Bring in an astronomer to give a talk and a telescope to make the stars come closer.
- Monthly birthday parties
This is a great tool for getting your senior care residents together so they get to know each other and learn more about the other members of their community. Hold regular birthday parties at the beginning or end of each month and publish a list of resident’s birthdays for that month (if the resident agrees) so they can be properly feted at the party. Tie in the birthday party with a cupcake baking day, and give out the cupcakes at the party.
There are so many ways to enrich the lives of the senior care residents and excellent senior living communities will fill their activity calendar with fun and stimulating events. What activities do you find appeal most to seniors?
