There’s plenty of evidence to suggest that staying active is great for graceful aging. To help support residents’ well-being, many senior living communities offer a rich variety of life-enriching activities and programs tailored to residents with all kinds of interests and ability levels.
As you begin your search for a senior living community, it’s a good idea to see if they offer activities that matter most to you or your loved one.
Read on to explore the many benefits of staying active as you age, along with 50 favorite senior living activities enjoyed by residents at StoryPoint Group communities.
Why Activities Matter in Senior Living
In addition to offering residents meaningful and enjoyable ways to enjoy their free time, assisted living activities provide plenty of valuable wellness perks, such as:
- Improving Physical Health: Most communities offer residents plenty of gentle, safe ways to keep their bodies moving. Adding low-impact physical exercises to your routine can bring several health benefits, including better sleep and reduced fatigue, just to name a few.
- Boosting Cognitive Skills: Some activities for senior living help exercise the brain as well, which is especially beneficial for older adults. Mental stimulation from these experiences can enhance attention and focus, and may even help slow the progression of memory-related conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
- Providing Chances to Socialize: Many experts say that being lonely is actually bad for your health. Whether enjoying an excursion with friendly neighbors or joining a weekend gardening club, activities for seniors in assisted living offer plenty of natural ways to meet new friends and build meaningful connections.
- Increasing Sense of Purpose and Belonging: Choosing senior living doesn’t mean giving up who you are. Whether you find joy in helping others or want meaningful ways to contribute to your community, finding an activity that you love can help foster a sense of purpose and self-worth.
- Supporting Emotional Well-Being: Senior living activities provide endless ways for residents to express themselves and spend time with others who share similar interests, which can help boost mood and improve emotional well-being.
- Providing Routine and Structure: Having a consistent activity schedule to look forward to can bring a sense of comfort, which may be especially helpful if you’re still settling into senior living. A structured routine can also be particularly beneficial for individuals with memory conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s.
With someone else handling daily chores for you, you now have more time to focus on the things you genuinely love. Now, more than ever, you can explore new ways to enjoy your free time, reignite old hobbies, or even learn a new skill that interests you.
Here are some meaningful activities that you or your family member may participate in and enjoy in a senior living community:
Physical Activities
Staying physically active isn’t just good for younger people; it can also be incredibly beneficial for older adults. Most communities offer a wide variety of physical activities designed to support residents’ health and wellness goals.
If you’re beginning to feel the natural effects of aging, many senior living activities can be adjusted to suit your comfort level. And if you’re new to fitness or haven’t exercised in a while, you can join fitness classes or sessions, which are often led by trained employees who understand the unique needs of older adults.
Some great physical activities for seniors include:
- Chair yoga
- Walking clubs
- Water aerobics
- Tai chi
- Dance classes
- Pickleball
- Zumba Gold
Social Activities
Many senior living communities understand just how valuable social connection can be, especially for older adults. In senior living, residents often enjoy plenty of natural opportunities to build friendships through fun-filled activities and programs.
Some examples you may come across include:
- Bingo nights
- Music classes
- Trivia contests
- Birthday and holiday celebrations
- Ice cream socials
- Movie nights
- Happy hour gatherings
- Resident mixers
Creative Activities
If you’re in the mood to get creative, there’s no shortage of fun projects to explore with friends and neighbors. Most communities provide all the supplies and tools you’ll need, and there’s always someone nearby to lend a hand if you need a little help.
You’ll find lots of enjoyable activities including:
- Painting and drawing
- Pottery
- Knitting and crocheting
- DIY home decor
- Card making
- Collage art
- Seasonal craft workshops
Lifelong Learning Opportunities
In addition to offering a sense of fulfilment, embracing lifelong learning can help support cognitive health, which is especially important for older adults. Many senior living communities provide learning opportunities tailored to different topics and interests that residents can join if they’d like.
Some great examples include:
- Book clubs
- Word and crossword puzzles
- History talks
- Brain games
- Tech workshops
- Trivia challenges
- Guest lectures
Music and Performing Arts
Some people find genuine joy and connection in music. If that sounds like you, you’ll be pleased to know that most communities organize music events and programs for residents to enjoy.
These usually include:
- Sing-alongs
- Live bands
- Karaoke nights
- Dance parties
- Resident talent shows
Life Skills Lessons
These activities are designed to help residents build practical skills while enjoying the hobbies they’ve always loved. They’re also a great way to connect with others and make new friends. Some communities even host friendly contests to add a little fun and camaraderie.
Some great examples can include:
- Baking or cooking classes
- Gardening or planting herbs
- Hand-sewing projects
- DIY candle making
- Cooking and nutrition basics
- Technology training
- Budgeting and money management
- Mindfulness and stress management
- Home and personal safety
- First aid and health literacy
Outdoor Activities
Enjoying the great outdoors can also be beneficial for your wellness. If you love spending time in nature, senior living communities often offer plenty of ways for residents to explore the outdoors and get some fresh air safely through nature-based activities.
Some great outdoor senior living activities include:
- Nature walks
- Gardening clubs
- Birdwatching
- Scenic drives
- Flower arranging with fresh blooms
- Watering plants
How StoryPoint Group Communities Elevate Senior Living Through Purposeful Activities
StoryPoint Group communities offer a diverse selection of senior living activities, so you can spend your days doing what you love, surrounded by people who make it even better. We recognize that each person’s journey is unique. That is why we tailor our experiences to meet each resident where they’re at, helping them shine every day and feel like they truly belong.
You might enjoy helping organize club events in your community. Maybe walking your dogs with other neighbors sounds appealing to you. Or perhaps you’re excited to join a music class. Whatever you envision for the next chapter of your life, with us, there are endless positive possibilities.
To learn more about StoryPoint’s Group award-winning communities, connect with us today or schedule a tour of a StoryPoint Group community closest to you. We can’t wait to try a few senior living activities with you!
Senior Living With StoryPoint Group Communities
At StoryPoint Group communities, our residents’ needs are at the heart of everything we do. You might be looking for a relaxed lifestyle with convenient access to modern amenities and a fun-packed activity calendar. Perhaps you could use additional help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Or maybe you’re simply looking for a home where you’ll truly feel like you belong.
No matter where you are on your journey, our goal is to help you make the most of every day, your way. To learn more about life with us or just to say hello, feel free to contact us or give us a call at 1-844-275-9990.
