New Ideas for Senior Citizen Activities?

Question

I am currently looking for new ideas for activities for independent senior citizens. I want to jazz up my calendar with new things for them to do instead of the same ole same ole. They love to play cards and bingo...I will always keep those activities on the calendar. I would like to add some new spice to the calendar. They are independent. They all have their senses, some of them are getting to the point where they don't want to do a lot of physical activity. If any of you have any ideas please post for me. It would be most appreciated.

Answer 1

there is the greatest site online that does a music show etc. of things of their times like from the 50's 60's http://oldfortyfives.com/ I think they would love to watch this I did and I'm 56. Also they might enjoy a made up trivia game about their days gone by, how much a house cost or kinds of cars or when the radio or tv was invented or naming movie stars and radio stars of their times this might be available retail ??? Anything that goes back to their times but isn't too detailed to remember. Going down memory lane especially to the childhoods or wars they fought or marriages and time of that. Let them escape back to their happier times and a joke I was told is it isn't the "golden years" but the "rusty years" as health issues so much play into it. Looking at old magazines from their times. You could find out what years they were born and their childhood years and online find pics and info. Also there is an online calculator to show what it cost in `1914 etc and what it costs now http://146.142.4.24/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl

Answer 2

Senior Activities Ideas

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

GET THE DAM CARDS AND BINGO OFF THE CALENDER! Consider the possibility that it's not physical activity they don't like, just not the physical activities you are offering. Instead of coming here to ask this question set up an anonymous suggestion box and let them tell you what they want. It is, after all, their lives not yours or ours. If you think I am being too ruff on you put yourself in their place with others dictating what is good for you. This is precisely the reason every time I see "senior" attached to anything i turn tale and run! I don't let people tell me what to do. I tell them what I am going to do. For 50 years I worked by other peoples rules. Now it's my time to live by my rules. If I want a nap I take a nap. If I want to go dancing I go dancing. If I want a role in the hay, like Krishnah, I find a milk-maid. If it causes a heart attack. well hallelujah I go out happy! Get the picture?

Forgot to mention I'm 79 Not 29

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
New Ideas for Senior Citizen Activities?
I am currently looking for new ideas for activities for independent senior citizens. I want to jazz up my calendar with new things for them to do instead of the same ole same ole. They love to play cards and bingo...I will always keep those activities on the calendar. I would like to add some...

Answer 6

I don't work with senior citizens (yet?) but when my grandmother was more active she enjoyed going on field trip type things with the local senior center. I'm not sure where you are but I live in New York so she went on a cruise around Manhattan and REALY enjoyed it. Also places like museums and other cultural institutions are fun, I think for any age.
My grandmother immigrated here with no English skills and took English classes that she enjoyed, if all your folks are native English speakers see if anyone would be interested in learning other languages.
ps: How did you get your job? : P

Answer 7

There are a really big bundle of activities mentioned already, but let me add a couple more.

Exercise classes. These are really important for those who are starting to slow down physically. We need exercise each and every day of our lives, in some form. Sometimes it's at a point where we need to "sneak" it in on them. Also, if you have a pool, aquatic exercise is really good. It's hard to realize you're doing any exercising with this type of setting. It's just feeling good. With either of these types of exercise you will notice your seniors will have more energy and vigor.

Since I don't know what State/Country you work in, I would suggest field trips for shopping, grocery shopping and Casino visits, if available. Many of the Casino's have Bingo and the seniors just eat this up.

Good Luck. From what I've seen here, you have a lot of choices.

Answer 8

Karaoke night
Having volunteers come in that can play a piano to their favorite tunes
Going to the park or just walking outside the building
Scavenger hunt within the building
Dress up day, just like high school, wacky Wednesday.
Tai chi
Having elementary kids come in and singing together
Bringing the community to come in with pet visits
Growing a garden or making a fish tank
Decorating the rooms with the upcoming months holidays or special occasion
Cooking class, with simple recipes
Renting slot machines and having a Vegas theme
Hawaiian luau theme. Learning to hula, making lei's, etc

Hope this helps!

Answer 9

How about scrap booking? I recently made one for my mom for a gift. She was 86. In it I put special memories of her life. She absolutely loved it! If you could involve family with this project it would be even better. My mom was in a care facility for three months. I noticed that not very many family members visited as much as they should. This might become a really great family project!

Answer 10

Some could be:
Outings
History reunions
Cooking styles
Reunions for talking about the past in the cities.
Singing and dancing