Weather unpleasant? Just want to stay in? Being indoors doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do. For older adults in assisted living communities, indoor activities can be a convenient and comfortable way to reap the physical, emotional, and cognitive benefits of staying active.
Indoor activity ideas for seniors include board games, arts and crafts, learning opportunities, indoor exercise, and even indoor gardening. As a bonus, many assisted living communities like Oak Ridge Senior Living also offer a robust schedule of events that are right on your doorstep.
Benefits of Staying Active for Seniors
Staying active, even inside, goes beyond a source of fun. Engagement is an important part of healthy aging and can benefit the body, mind, and spirit.
Health Benefits
According to the National Institute on Aging, staying active in older age is linked to a lower risk of developing diseases, including heart disease, stroke, dementia, and even certain types of cancer. Active people also tend to live longer.
Cognitive Benefits
Staying active may have brain benefits too. Your cognitive abilities, such as memory, may improve if you participate in physically and mentally engaging activities. Try to include a variety of activities.
Emotional Benefits
Active older adults tend to have better mood. This may be linked to rewarding activities like volunteering. Resilience—the ability to stay strong in the face of adversity—also tends to be higher among active people.
Indoor Activity Ideas for Seniors
With all these benefits to staying active, it’s hard to say no! Here are some simple activity ideas to get started with on a rainy day:
Games
One 2022 meta-analysis found that tabletop game interventions improved the cognitive functioning of older adults. This was observed in both seniors with cognitive impairment and those without.
Games are a fun way to socialize, strategize, or even learn new words and concepts. Video games can challenge your motor skills, and phone games are a good way to pass the time when you’re alone. Games older adults can try include:
- Classic games: The benefit of classic games like Monopoly, the Game of Life, and Trivial Pursuit is that most people already know the rules, so it’s easy to include more players.
- Word games: Games like Scrabble, Boggle, and Bananagrams can challenge your vocabulary and even teach you new words.
- Games available on mobile phones: Those offered by the New York Times (Wordle, Strands, Connections, Sudoku) are very popular, and there are even social games like Words With Friends.
- Jigsaw puzzles: Do them alone, with a friend, or with a grandchild.
- Card games: The possibilities are endless with just a deck of 52 cards, from solo games like Solitaire to strategic team-based ones like Bridge.
Reading & Virtual Learning
The neat thing about being retired is that you finally have time for all the things you’ve always wanted to learn. And today, there are more ways to do that than ever before. Older adults should check out:
- Virtual museum tours: Institutions like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offer virtual tours you can take from the comfort of your home.
- Classes: Some colleges allow older adults to audit classes at a lower tuition rate or for free. You can also explore free online courses from the Open University, Coursera, Udemy, and edX.
- Books: Take a trip to the library or download books to your e-reader.
- Documentaries: Immerse yourself in history, nature, science, and more. Use a streaming service or rent a documentary from the local library.
Arts & Crafts
Arts and crafts can provide a sense of accomplishment when a project is complete. Great conversations can also be had around a crafting table. Try activities like:
- Painting: From watercolors to acrylics, this can be a relaxing and expressive activity with the opportunity to progress in skill level.
- Scrapbooking: Take a trip down memory lane by organizing photos, quotes, and memorabilia. Scrapbooking is a great activity to share with the next generation.
- Knitting or sewing: These activities can challenge your dexterity but they also offer a solid sense of achievement when you have a finished scarf or sweater in your hands.
Indoor Exercises
Physical activity provides many health benefits for older adults. You can try indoor-friendly exercises like:
- Tai chi: This gentle martial art can be stimulating both physically and spiritually. There is also some evidence that it may help reduce falls.
- Chair yoga: Curious about yoga but not sure where to start? Chair yoga can be a great introduction to the practice for those who want to start slowly or struggle with balance.
- Walking: This is a simple exercise you can do anywhere, including indoors in places like the mall or a large store.
If you have a chronic disease, talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise regimen. The good news is, many exercises are considered safe (or can be made safer) and may even be beneficial to those with chronic illness.
Indoor Gardening
Many older adults find gardening rewarding, and it doesn’t have to happen outdoors. Try potted plants, small herb gardens, or succulents. Gardening can foster a connection to nature; it’s also purposeful when you realize you can take care of another living thing.
Bonus: Assisted Living Community Events
The advantage of living in an assisted living community is that there are activities and events right at your doorstep and plenty of neighbors to do them with.
At Oak Ridge Senior Living, our Activities Director takes joy in planning fun things to do for our residents. For a sneak peek of what we’re up to, check out our activities calendar.
A Balanced Lifestyle at Oak Ridge Senior Living
Our assisted living program at Oak Ridge Senior Living is designed for older adults who want to remain independent but could use a little support with day-to-day tasks. Residents in our community can benefit from:
- 24-hour building security and emergency call systems
- Spacious apartments with full kitchen
- Housekeeping and maintenance services
- Dining services
- On-site pharmacy and nurse practitioner
- On-site salon and barbershop
We recognize that needs change as time goes by, so we strive to adapt with you. Explore what life at Oak Ridge Senior Living can be like in person by booking a tour.
