How to Encourage the Elderly to Participate in Activities

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has linked loneliness and social isolation to serious health conditions in the elderly. Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increase in dementia and other serious medical conditions. With those statistics, it’s easy to see why staying active and involved with other people is so important as we age.

So how do we encourage the elderly to participate in activities? Seniors have different tastes in food, clothing, the way they decorate their living space, and even what a comfortable temperature is both outdoors and inside the home. In this blog, we will provide helpful tips to inspire your loved one to remain active.

Helping Older Adults Get Active Again

When it comes to encouraging your loved one to be more active, it’s important to keep the goal in mind. We want our elderly loved ones to be socially active and stimulated by interacting with other people, and we want them to be involved in activities they will enjoy.

The first thing to do is sit down and have a conversation with your elderly friend or relative about their interests. Think of the hobbies your loved one engaged in throughout their lives. What were their passions or things that delighted them? Ask questions about the activities they loved or always wanted to pursue but were too busy to do so. Tell them it’s never too late to enjoy life or to pursue an old hobby. If they can’t think of one, help them think of ways to get involved in a new one.

What Are Good Activities for Seniors?

If you are looking for some fun and engaging activities that cater to the needs of older adults, Here are some suggestions for hobbies and activities that may be enjoyable for an elderly person.

• Gardening
• Cooking
• Card or board games
• Creative Writing
• Playing an instrument or attending musical events and shows.
• Reading to children at the library or at their school.
• Exercising or joining a Yoga class.
• Joining the local Senior Citizens Club.
• Working with animals at the local animal shelter.
• Volunteering at a hospital or nursing home.

After identifying their interests, it’s time to take action. Initially, you may encounter some opposition, but there are strategies to get things moving. Here are some ideas to consider.

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Ideas To Get You Started

• Provide potting soil, pots, and plants for the gardener to get started. Help them create a container garden. Suggest joining a garden club.
• Help your loved one cook a meal for the family or friends. Suggest signing up for a cooking class.
• Find out if there is a senior organization in the area that has a group that plays games or has a trivia night. Offer to go with your loved one to see how they feel about joining the group.
• Suggest writing a memoir, poetry, or stories to pass along to family members and help your loved one sign up for a class.
• Take your loved one to a play or concert. If they enjoy it, contact the local Senior Center or other community organizations to see if they have a group that attends those types of events together.
• If your loved one plays the piano or another instrument, they could volunteer to play at a nursing home or assisted living facility.
• Retired educators might enjoy reading to children at the local library or tutoring children who need assistance.
• Exercise is not only important to health, but it’s also a great way to meet people and have fun. Joining an exercise class is a great way to keep moving and establish friendships.
• Animal lovers can work with the local animal shelter by volunteering to walk dogs and offer companionship to a lonely furry friend.
• If your loved one is physically able to do it, hospitals and nursing homes are always looking for volunteers. This is a great way to serve that community and meet new people.

Today is the day! Whether it’s your parent, spouse, or an elderly friend, it’s important to be mindful of the need to remain active and engaged as they make the journey through Golden Years. Talk to your loved one and use the tips mentioned here to motivate them to participate in activities that will keep them physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Remember, take it one step at a time. Encouraging your loved one to stay active requires care and patience, but it can help prevent them from becoming a statistic.