Retirement Living Activities: How Creativity Helps Give Seniors Joy and Satisfaction
Published on September 20, 2019
With recent advancements in medicine and healthcare, seniors are now living longer and healthier lives. Being healthy, however, means more than just eating well-balanced, nutritious meals and staying physically active—it also means spending quality time with friends and loved ones, nurturing the soul, and stimulating the mind through enjoyable activities.
Studies have shown that participating in creative and artistic activities can have a positive impact on seniors’ health and wellbeing as they age. Specifically, learning new hobbies and skills creates a sense of purpose and keeps the mind busy. Here are a few more ways that retirement living activities, such as arts and crafts, can bring joy and satisfaction to the lives of older adults.
Creativity Gives Seniors a Sense of Purpose
Our lifestyles and priorities change as we get older but keeping our minds and hands sharp is important for giving us purpose and helping us continue to grow. Arts and crafts for the elderly help to facilitate interactions with others, so they can discover new things about themselves as well as their peers. Some of these activities include writing, painting, knitting, and sculpting.
Having a sense of purpose is so vital for seniors, especially if their younger years were defined by raising a family or succeeding in a career. Once these responsibilities are put aside, it’s common for seniors to develop an uncertainty about their purpose and role in life. To ensure this sense of loss doesn’t affect their health and well-being, seniors should engage in activities that can help them boost their problem-solving skills and improve their satisfaction in everyday life. Creative project can also help alleviate boredom and prevent feelings of depression. The physical act of using hand-eye coordination can also help boost their cognitive abilities and concentration.
Examples of Creative Pursuits Seniors Can Enjoy
Art and Crafts to Do in Groups or with Grandchildren
Arts and crafts are excellent creative pursuits that seniors can enjoy. They can enjoy them privately, with groups of peers, or with their grandchildren. There are many different activities a senior can pursue, including painting, sketching, sculpting, sewing, literature, music, crafts, cooking classes, quilting, book clubs, etc.
Writing as a Source of Self-Expression and Therapy
Many seniors who choose writing as one of their hobbies do it to record memories of important events that left a mark on them. Often, seniors want to provide their loved ones with highlights of their past to leave them with long-lasting family history. Those who choose to write in the form of creative writing like fiction or poetry build upon their interest to express their thoughts using intellect and imagination. Writing can be a strong source of self expression and therapy because it helps them convey their feelings constructively and positively.
Field Trips to Interesting Places
Creativity comes from within but sometimes it takes an external experience to inspire us. Before a senior can discover their own creative talents, it may be helpful for them to experience specific events or visit new places to spark their creativity. Many retirement living communities offer activities such as field trips, so that their Community Members have the opportunity to visit museums, parks, concerts, sports events, movie theatres, restaurants, plays and musicals, shopping malls, and more.
Various Types of Exercises
Exercise is another way to boost creativity. Plus, it can strengthen your heart, improve your mood, increase flexibility, and extend your life span, no matter your age. Working out alone isn’t much fun, which is why senior living communities provide group exercise classes and events. Some exciting and engaging physical activities seniors can get involved in at their retirement community include dancing, stretching, yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi, aerobics, strength training, walking, golf, AquaFit, tennis, and more.
Entertainment: Music, Games, and More
Another great senior activity idea that can improve creativity is entertainment! Seniors who are film buffs will enjoy movie nights. While those who like to sing or play music can be inspired by local talent such as musicians, dancers, and comedians. There are so many ways that senior living communities try to entertain their Community Members. Some fun events include karaoke, video games, talent shows, musicals, movie clubs, trivia night, bingo, puzzles, board game clubs, themed parties, and game show events.
How V!VA Retirement Communities Helps Boost Our Community Members’ Creativity
One of the major factors that people look for when choosing a retirement community to move into is the type of activities and social engagement offered. A safe space to live is important, but the quality of life seniors receive is equally valuable. Finding a community that supports the wellbeing of its Members is crucial to ensuring that they have the best possible retirement years.
When it’s time to consider retirement living, consider V!VA Retirement Communities. We are one of the few strong and successful privately-owned and independent developers in the senior living field, with locations in Barrhaven, Mississauga, Pickering, Thornhill Woods, Ancaster, Carleton Place, Oakville, and Whitby.
We offer more than just a comfortable place to live; we provide our Community Members with a safe, trustworthy environment where they can build meaningful friendships. We care about our seniors and that is reflected in the care provided by our Team Members.
To learn more about what makes us different or to find out if V!VA Retirement Communities is right for you or your loved one, e-mail us at info@vivalife.ca or call us at 1-888-984-8482.
