How Activities Enhance Our Lives: Senior Living Insights
Iowa is home to more than one million senior Iowans. As many of us age, we begin looking at different senior living options to maintain our quality of life while transitioning to a more comfortable living situation.
One thing many of us are concerned about is how to stay active in a senior living space. What are the available activities in senior living from a resident perspective?
If you're curious about the benefits of senior activities and how to stay engaged, we're here to help. Read on for a quick guide on improving senior living wellness through activities.
Physical Activity
Physical activities can help a senior maintain their wellness. Such a task is crucial for improving senior quality of life, whether you're barely above the age or hitting your ninth decade.
Physical activity is also cited as one of the most beneficial things we can do for our health. Studies show that exercise can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular troubles. Improving your overall fitness can also make everyday tasks easier and more manageable.
Here are some physical activities that a senior community may offer.
Exercise Yard
An exercise yard is an outdoor space where residents can freely and safely exercise to their preferences. An exercise yard may include a track to complete walks or jogs around, light sports, and more.
These yards are often monitored by safety personnel to ensure no one is hurt. In the case of a fall, emergency services are often close by to help contact aid.
An exercise yard is also a great way to socialize with your neighbors. Look for senior living communities that offer an outdoor space for your comfort and leisure.
Nature Walks
Another way to get into the great outdoors is to enjoy nature walks. Nature walks aren't always offered, as it depends heavily on the location of the community. If your community is in the center of a city, a nature walk is less feasible, for example.
Outdoor gardens or shaded areas to walk help to keep your cardiovascular fitness up. They're also a great way to get some fresh air and relieve stress through the beauty of nature. Studies show that nature walks help to promote both physical and mental health in all ages.
In-Room Physical Workouts
What if going outdoors isn't in the cards? On rainy days or when the temperature hits extremes, it's not as feasible to exercise outdoors.
When this occurs, many communities offer in-room physical workouts. These are often simple, safe exercises like aerobics, gentle yoga, and more to keep your physical fitness up.
With these in-room workouts, you can enjoy the benefits of senior activities without having to strain yourself in the outdoors. However, make sure you have a way to contact help if you injure yourself while exercising. You also should speak with a medical professional about a healthy exercise regimen that won't strain you.
Indoor Gyms
Finally, another physical activity that many communities offer is indoor gyms. These are gymnasiums with simple equipment for seniors to keep their fitness up. Some equipment includes:
- Hip abductors
- Treadmills
- Dumbbells and free weights
- Pools
In most communities, this equipment has safety measures that prevent you from overstraining. For example, the dumbbells or weights may max out at a lower weight than a professional gym.
Others are focused on keeping you mobile and exercising without focusing on muscle mass. Treadmills and pools are a good example. Make sure that you have a safe way to contact help in case of an accident or fall.
Social Activity
What about activities that aren't focused on your physical fitness? Engaging in senior activities is also a great way to boost the social life of a senior.
Social life is a critical benefit for seniors. Studies show that loneliness is one of the main impacts on a senior's life, causing mental and emotional distress. A healthy social life can help to avoid and alleviate these symptoms.
Here are some common social activities you should anticipate.
Aerobics Communities
Aerobics communities are often held either in a community or somewhere sponsored by the community. These are exercise-focused classes and communities that bring residents together.
While exercise is a great benefit, this also gives residents time to speak with each other and bond. That way, they're less lonely on days when loved ones aren't able to visit.
Senior Fitness Groups
Aerobics isn't the only fitness program you'll find in most facilities. Many have fitness groups that focus on getting together occasionally to focus on fitness.
These are groups that enjoy nature walks together, spend time in an outdoor exercise field, and more. They're a great way to make friends, get to know your neighbors, and get some exercise at the same time.
Game Nights
Game nights are common among nearly all communities. These are nights when residents get together to play simple games, from board games to group games.
A group game consists of something like Bingo, where everyone is playing at the same time. Some communities offer incentives, like physical rewards to get people to come together and play.
Social Activity Nights
Social activity nights are like game nights but with less of a focus on gaming. Instead, these may consist of nights where outside entertainment is brought in, such as music.
Small get-togethers for parties and dancing are also common. These nights also often include a movie night or something similar. They're a great way to get out of your room and enjoy some entertainment while mingling with your neighbors.
Finding Activities in Senior Living From a Resident Perspective
There are countless benefits to activities in senior living from a resident perspective. These activities are focused on improving senior quality of life and helping neighbors meet and engage with each other.
At Addington Place of Clinton, we're dedicated to providing healthy and engaging senior options to our residents. We provide exceptional comfort, convenience, and an elevated living experience. Schedule a tour today to see why our community is one of the best in Clinton, Iowa.