As the cooler months approach, spending long periods of time outdoors may not be an option, but that doesn’t mean seniors can’t have fun. Winter indoor activities may seem like they’re few and far between, but there are several things seniors can do this season.

It is vital that seniors stay physically and mentally active. Spending days sitting for 10 hours watching television does not represent the picture of health. So, let’s get a little creative and spark some indoor fun.

Dancing – Dance movement therapy is a holistic approach that enhances the overall wellbeing of an individual. Even when done in a very simple way, it can transform feelings of sadness, depression, and pain to a happy and more positive state.

Winter Crafts – Create a collection of memories with photo projects. Make a collage or scrapbook with old photos. Scrapbooking and other photo projects are great ways to help seniors with memory issues. Plus, it inspires creativity and can double as a holiday gift for family.

Cooking Childhood Favorites – Make delicious handmade treats that remind seniors of their childhood such as candied apples or candied pecans. Indulge their sweet tooth while participating in a fun, crafty project. Cooking is an incredible executive functioning skill. Cooking lessons are quite popular in assisted living homes and residents really enjoy sharing their delights with their fellow residents. Cooking is a great mental exercise because
it, similar to dancing, activates the brain in multiple ways. Reading instructions is vital for recipe success. Listening to verbal instructions is central to preventing mishaps. Measuring is mathematical. And, last but not least, tasting is optimal.

Stretch It Out – The practice of yoga has long been known to help people manage stress and anxiety, improve flexibility and coordination, support mental clarity, increase strength and promote overall physical health. Often, when we think of yoga activities, we envision young, able bodies stretching and contorting in difficult positions. The truth, however, is that yoga can be practiced by people of all ages and abilities and has become quite popular among the senior population in the form of chair yoga. You can even bring the activity outside and enjoy nature!

Model Building – While not that common, model building can be a most rewarding activity. Seniors who enjoy model building become quite addicted to it. The challenge of it is intriguing and keeps one’s attention for elongated periods of time. Overall, model building is a rewarding activity that can also be shared with family members and fellow residents.

Staying active well into senior years is vital to thriving. The type of activity is not as important as participating in an activity. Physical and mental activity for seniors can seem an immense undertaking for the families of seniors. Perhaps a senior living home that offers these types of ongoing engagements is the best option for meeting their changing needs.