Many people view the move into a senior citizen center with anticipation. There is often a sense of excitement akin to moving into your college dorm as a freshman. But there may also be a sense of unease with the unknown. You’ve taken your tours. You’ve read online reviews. To help you narrow down the list, we’d like to inform you of 10 activities for senior citizen centers to look out for when choosing your new home.
1. Music Classes
There is no time like the present to learn how to play a musical instrument. Whether you’re learning how to saw a fiddle, strum a banjo or play your favorite classical pieces on piano or violin, playing a musical instrument improves your dexterity.
Musical instruments are an excellent outlet for expressing emotions, and both learning and playing keep your mind sharp. Some instruments, such as the oboe and piccolo, are great for keeping your diaphragm and lungs strong and healthy, too.
You may even make a few friends and start your own band. Even better, instrumental recordings make great holiday and birthday gifts because they come from the heart.
2. Family Events
Family events are a key component of activities for senior citizen centers. If you have retired in a different city than the rest of your family, you may feel slightly isolated. Look for a senior citizen center that hosts special events for family members so you and your loved ones can connect regularly.
These special events may be religious in nature (Hanukah or Christmas gift-giving). Or, they may be wholesome, secular fun, like a 4th of July celebration, Thanksgiving lunch, or New Year’s Day lunch.
3. Outings
Senior citizen centers are a great way to make new lifelong friends. But going on day trips goes a long way in breaking up the monotony. After all, variety is the spice of life. Look for a senior citizen center that offers regular outings. This can be as simple as going on a scenic drive when the weather is nice. Or, it can involve visiting a nearby senior living facility to play bingo with their residents. Regardless of the destination, getting out and about during fair weather will make a big difference in your emotional wellbeing.
4. Gardening
Look for a senior citizen center with a garden you can help tend to. If you can’t find one in your city, tend to an indoor garden in your room. Gardening helps to improve the dexterity of your fingers and hands as you water and prune your plants. Caring for another living thing is also good for your emotional health. Whether you want a small cactus to bear fruit every once in a while or you want to accent your red room with white peace lilies or jasmines, indoor gardening is great for people of all ages.
5. Community
Community events are a great way for you to contribute to your community while doing something you’re passionate about. Packing bookbags full of school supplies for children in need will help you keep your fingers and hands nimble. Sorting through donated clothes or food for the less fortunate is good for the mind and spirit.
But community events can also refer to your senior citizen center. Want a book club for history buffs or trivia night for music fans? Start a club. Or, you can become involved in your center’s resident council meetings and share great ideas on how to make the resident community better.
6. Cognitive
Look for opportunities to flex your mind. Like any muscle, your brain needs to be stretched and worked every day to stay healthy and grow. In fact, the more often you think about things, the more neurons connect to each other. This mitigates the risk of memory loss and the decline of cognitive function. Read the editorials in your local newspaper to discover current events. Then, participate in or host a debate about important topics.
If you’re debating, try arguing the side you’re against. You’ll have a leg up on the competition because you’ll have a good idea of your opponent’s points and counter-points to your points. Even better, you will have the opportunity to think creatively as well as critically.
7. Educational
Some senior citizen centers host guest speakers who are experts on a particular topic. This may be history, art, botany, or any other subject you can imagine. Formats may range from hands-on art classes to instructional videos on how to make holiday wreaths for your friends and family.
8. Senior-Friendly Fitness
Beach volleyball is impractical in nearly all parts of the country. Even worse, it can be dangerous for seniors to play in the sand as it increases the chance of a fall. With an Xbox Kinect, you can play beach volleyball, table tennis, bowling, and a number of other sports from the comfort and safety of your new home. It is a great way to get active, compete with friends, and have a ton of fun.
9. Tactile and Sensory
Tactile and sensory activities can be incredibly relaxing and meditative. Learn how to fold origami animals and plants out of paper napkins. Make bean bags to play corn hole with. Make rain sticks with dried rice or beans and plastic bottles or aluminum Pringles cans. The opportunities for tactile and sensory senior activities are endless. If you can’t find such opportunities, create them.
10. Vocal
Even if playing a musical instrument in a band isn’t appealing to you, you can still incorporate more music into your life. Join a choir and carol to other residents in your community. You can even turn it into a local community event by taking donations for “happy-grams.” For a donation to a local charity, you can spread cheer to your neighbors by singing a cute, fun song. You can even create a happy-gram club and spread lots of cheer at once.
Whether you participate in vocal lessons to learn how to control your diaphragm, lungs, palate, and larynx, or you just belt your heart out on karaoke night, singing is an excellent stress reliever and a great way to make friends. It doesn’t matter if you’re the next Patsy Cline or Ray Charles. As long as you’re having fun, everyone else will, too.
Learn More About Activities for Senior Citizen Centers
Moving into a senior citizen center can cause a flurry of emotions. There is excitement about the opportunity to meet new friends. There is anticipation about what the next chapter in your life will hold. Any unease you may feel can be assuaged by having a good idea of the activities for senior citizen centers you can expect.
Are you interested in learning more about the best activities to keep your mind and body sharp and young? If so, follow Senior Health & Lifestyle News on your favorite social media channels and sign up for our free newsletter. We offer a wide array of articles on topics ranging from finances and health to food and travel.
