Clubs and activity groups for the elderly can be extremely enriching. Taking part in activities can assist in keeping the mind sharp, the body strong and spirits high, so why not encourage your loved one or elderly parent to join a local group or club. There’s a plethora of activities which they could enjoy, whether it’s playing games, spending time outdoors, socialising with family and friends or doing a hobby such as painting; getting involved in activities and groups with peers can greatly benefit the well-being of your elderly loved one and help to reduce the risk of loneliness.
Loneliness is a medical condition that affects many elderly people within the UK, and some experts say that it can be as harmful as smoking as many as 15 cigarettes a day. Getting involved in clubs and activities whilst interacting with other people can help combat loneliness in a very positive way. Some elderly people can lose touch with friends and family or be stuck indoors due to mobility issues, so joining a club can help your loved one get out there and enjoy themselves whilst connecting with other people at the same time.
If you’re struggling to think of ideas to suggest to your loved one or elderly parent please don’t worry; we’ve got some fantastic ideas which your loved one could enjoy, and you might even be able to enjoy along with them.
Lunch Clubs
Lunch clubs are more than just getting together and having a meal, they’re a social occasion as well as a nutritional one! Lunch clubs offer the elderly a safe and friendly meeting place to visit and socialise with other like-minded people. Most lunch clubs offer the opportunity to talk or play games over a hot meal, and some even offer activities to do whilst you’re there along with the occasional guest speaker!
Lunch clubs give those elderly people who may be feeling isolated or lonely the opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy a nutritious meal with peers whilst also giving them something to look forward to each week. Lunch clubs are usually a regular occurrence, so can be effective in giving your loved one a routine so they know they’ve always got something each week to look forward to. The majority of local councils will have information about lunch clubs in your area so get in touch and see what’s available!
Arts & Crafts
Arts and crafts describes a wide range of activities involving getting creative and making things with your hands. This activity can promote creativity and happiness in all ages, alleviate boredom, keep the mind busy and help to prevent feelings of depression. Some great arts and crafts activities you could get your loved one involved in are:
- Painting.
- Pottery.
- Knitting.
- Drawing.
- Photography.
- Quilting.
Some elderly people may feel that they are not artistic enough to try arts and crafts, but even something as simple as making a collage out of old treasured photographs could start off a love of art! Creative activities can help with hand-eye coordination, concentration and bolster problem-solving skills, so there’s every reason to try out some arts and crafts with your loved one.
Cooking Classes
Diet and eating habits become more important as we get older, not only due to health, but due to retirement there’s more time to spend enjoying the process of preparing and cooking a meal. Whether your loved one is a seasoned cook or beginner, a cooking class can be a great way to learn new skills and make friends at the same time.
Cooking classes can help many elderly people to gain confidence in and out of the kitchen by inspiring new ideas and drive into everyday life. Most cooking classes are run by a trained chef and some will be themed from week to week. There are classes suitable for beginners and experts so no matter your loved ones skill level they will be catered for.
Games & Puzzles
Board games and puzzles can be enjoyed by anyone at any age, everyone from a five-year-old to a 95-year-old can play and enjoy games together. Playing with friends and family can bring more joy to life and even improve brain function by stimulating the parts of the brain that are responsible for complex thought and memory formation. Playing board games can help keep the mind sharper and reduces the risk of diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s in elderly people.
Games and puzzles keep your spirits up and make you happy. This is because laughter helps to decrease stress, lower blood pressure, create happiness and laughter is almost always present whilst playing a game (if it’s not taken too seriously). Playing games is a fantastic way for your loved one to stay social, it’s rare to play a board game alone and is the perfect excuse to bring the whole family together to be social and get out of the digital world we all spend so much time in. Most people have a board game or two laying around but if not, try your local library. They may have a collection which you could use.
Aqua Aerobics
Exercise can be intimidating in later life; your loved one may not be as fit as they once were and could feel nervous about joining an exercise class. Aqua aerobics is the perfect exercise of choice for an elderly person as the movements can be done at a comfortable level and are far less painful than exercise on land!
Aquatic exercise is an excellent option for elderly people and anyone wanting to increase strength or heal from an injury. Water offers support and depending on the depth of water, the human bodies weight can be reduced by up to 90%. This means that exercise can be low-impact with a minimal risk of injury or stress on the joints.
It’s common knowledge that water makes us feel calm, and although it is a mystery as to why this is, studies have found that people who live near the sea are less stressed and in better health. Water can be extremely relaxing and provides a tranquil environment for your loved ones to exercise in with less risk of injury, pain or falling.
The Careline Alarm Service
If you would like to find out more information about the Careline personal alarm service then get in touch today. Our customer service team is available on 0800 101 333 to answer your questions. Alternatively, you can email us to info@careline.co.uk or fill out our contact form.
