12 Fun Activities for Seniors With Limited Mobility
One of the greatest advantages of a senior retirement community is that these high-quality communities provide plenty of activities for seniors with limited mobility. With the right support, growing older does not have to mean isolation or challenges in living independently, whether in Pennsylvania or anywhere else.
We Care Senior Solutions, LLC is Boyertown’s trusted assisted living facility directory. Below, these professionals discuss what seniors and their loved ones should look for when searching for the right communities, particularly in Montgomery County.
Games to Keep The Mind Active
We all know that board games and parlor games are a great way to encourage group spirit and some good-natured competition in life, and seniors are no exception. Who doesn’t have fond memories of playing as a child or, later in life, as a parent or with friends at dinner parties? Games engage people, connecting us with one another and reawakening joy from our younger days.
Seniors can play many games from a seated position. Key questions to ask at a living community include the following:
- Do caretakers choose familiar games and teach the rules to everyone in the group?
- If they choose board games as a senior activity, do they provide assistance to players who have trouble reading game boards or manipulating the pieces?
- Does the facilitator allow seniors to experience a sense of accomplishment when they win without arousing frustration and other negative emotions in everyone else?
Stories That Delight
People who have lived long and eventful lives enjoy sharing stories. They also love listening to the stories of others.
- Does the community invite local authors, poets, or community members with storytelling skills to visit seniors?
- Do they give seniors a chance to listen, comment, and meet the storyteller?
Sharing personal stories as a group is among the best activities for seniors who want to expand their horizons and get to know one another better.
A Variety of Music
Listening to music can have a calming effect on people of all ages. Many seniors feel reinvigorated and energized when they hear a song from their youth, even though a 65-year-old and a 95-year-old would have grown up in completely different generations.
- Does the community offer a variety of music?
- Does it consider everyone’s musical interests and how different cultural backgrounds influence musical tastes?
Is there flexibility in the musical selection? Some seniors enjoy modern music, but there should be an awareness that songs that some people find pleasant provoke negative emotions in others.
Timeless Movies alongside Modern Classics
Senior citizens who grew up before the advent of television have fond memories of local theater experiences. Does the community give seniors the opportunity to re-experience their favorites alongside modern films? As with musical entertainment, listening to residents’ preferences should be commonplace.
Options for Seated Meditation, Yoga, and Exercise
There are plenty of appropriate activities for seniors with limited mobility that do not require them to stand, lie down, or perform strenuous movements. As in younger generations, meditation and yoga can reduce stress and improve a senior person’s outlook. However, the community should consult a health professional about the health benefits and risks associated with specific techniques.
Creative and Engaging Art Projects
Does the community cater to people with mobility issues who have sufficient dexterity or an interest in painting, crafts, pottery, and knitting? This physical and creative expression could include:
- Making something through their own efforts
- Creating artwork together
- Decorating their living space with artwork
- The opportunity to give artwork to friends or family members
If members of the community have training or experience in an artistic field, they might also enjoy teaching others and demonstrating their abilities.
Taking Care of Plants
Gardening and indoor planting are excellent activities for people with limited mobility if these events are accessible. The opportunity to tend to a living thing provides a sense of purpose, as well as an appreciation for the beauty in life.
Book Clubs For Seniors
Seniors often enjoy reading, so a book club is an engaging way to keep minds active, provide opportunities for quiet enjoyment, and promote social interaction. Reading together also helps seniors to share their interests and make friends.
- Does the community assist with large print books, audiobooks, and e-readers with assistive technology? These could improve the accessibility of book clubs for seniors with disabilities.
Other Seated Exercise
Many residents of senior communities cannot exercise safely in a standing position due to the risk of falls, broken bones, and other injuries. Seated exercise is best, improving muscle strength and cardiovascular health without causing problems.
Safe Spaces for Outdoor Strolls
Like everyone else, seniors with limited mobility often enjoy the sunshine and the chance to immerse themselves in nature. With appropriate mobility aids, taking seniors on an outdoor excursion can quickly boost their spirits. It also gives them the opportunity for gentle cardiovascular and aerobic exercise.
Sightseeing Locations
Everyone loves sightseeing, but it is particularly exciting for seniors with limited mobility. Accessible transportation costs might make sightseeing more expensive, but the benefits far outweigh these concerns. Seniors love to relive places from decades past, as well as enjoy new attractions with others from their generation.
Community Involvement
Does the community provide opportunities for seniors to interact with their community as often as they would like? Can they share in cultural celebrations or support charities? These opportunities give seniors a sense of belonging and simultaneously benefit the community.
Depending on their interests and abilities, seniors often appreciate invitations to the following:
- Charitable events
- Local political meetings where they can share their views
- Events to chat with local schoolchildren and so on
Quality Residential Communities for Seniors With We Care Senior Solutions, LLC
Do you or your family member live in a senior community? We Care Senior Solutions, LLC provides support and intermediary services for senior citizens in Montgomery County, PA, and around the country. We connect families with reputable, high-quality residential communities that understand the importance of accessibility, keeping the elderly active, and resident-centered experiences.
Call We Care Senior Solutions at today for advice about activities for seniors with limited mobility in Pennsylvania and so much more.