August 21st is National Senior Citizens Day, making it the perfect time to reflect and acknowledge the elders that fill our lives with joy. While representing a significant portion of our country’s population, seniors deserve a special day where they know that their efforts and achievements are valued. Why not spend National Senior Citizens Day introducing your loved ones to fun activities they can enjoy throughout the year? If that’s your goal, these entertainment ideas should make the festivities even more memorable for you both.
How Staying Active Benefits Older Adults
Numerous studies have determined that seniors who remain physically active once they reach age 65 typically enjoy these health benefits as a result:
- Improved bone, muscle, and joint health
- Lower risk of falling and fall-related fractures
- A reduced likelihood to develop chronic anxiety and depression
- Stronger immune system
- Higher self-esteem
- Reduced risk of dying from coronary heart disease and developing high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes
- Greater likelihood to live independently
- Sharper mental acuity that helps slow cognitive decline
Healthy Entertainment Ideas for Seniors
Older adults can still have fun and enjoy life while celebrating holidays like National Senior Citizens Day. These five activities are a great way for seniors to engage with others all year long:
Take a nature walk
Although this activity is simple, the benefits of walking include stress relief, promoting a better night’s sleep, and improved cardiovascular endurance. Whether it’s a short walk around the neighborhood or taking your senior to a big park, a nature walk can do wonders for their body and mind.
Being out in nature helps lower blood pressure, increase physical fitness, and speed up the recovery process. Are there any ducks or pigeons around? As an added benefit, feeding birds while taking a nature walk can give an older adult a renewed sense of purpose.
Have a picnic
While you’re enjoying all the benefits of your nature walk, why not combine it with a picnic? If your loved one has mobility issues, plan a picnic or cookout with them right in their backyard and invite some friends and family. Once your delicious and nutritious meal is ready, spend time talking, sharing stories, or fondly reminiscing about days gone by while enjoying your culinary creations.
Go to the museum
Depending on what your loved one’s interests are, going to the museum can be a lot of fun. For example, if it’s an art museum, you can both quietly observe each piece while pondering what it means to you. Taking an older veteran to a war museum will allow them to think back to when they proudly served their country. No matter what museum you choose to visit, being there can have a positive effect on your senior’s physical and emotional health.
Watch old movies
If it’s raining or too hot on August 21st, a good backup plan is watching old movies with your loved one. Watching movies is a relaxing indoor activity that will allow them to escape from life’s stressors for a while. Find a streaming service that offers a lot of classic movies or TV shows, and then let your loved one pick out some of their favorites.
Do some arts and crafts
Although this may sound childish, doing arts and crafts can be therapeutic for older adults – starting with the fact it helps improve their motor skills. From finger painting to candle making, joining your loved one for a fun-filled afternoon of arts and crafts can be a great way for you both to reduce stress and share some laughs while unleashing your inner creativity!
We Love Keeping Seniors Active and Entertained!
Helping an aging loved one stay active isn’t easy when you’re busy or live far away. At Adultcare Assistance Homecare, we are a fully licensed and insured home care provider with highly trained professionals who are experts at delivering the nurturing that your loved one deserves. While serving as an extended family in your senior’s home, our compassionate caregivers can perform duties like light housekeeping, personal care, dementia care, companionship care, medication reminders, and even live-in and 24-hour care.
Our agency’s focus is on maintaining your loved one’s quality of life, along with their dignity, self-esteem, and independence. For your added convenience, all our in-home services can be individually personalized into an affordable package when and where you need them! Please visit us online now to learn more about us or schedule a FREE initial consultation for a senior in our service area.
