When an elderly adult enters into an aged care facility, they may have specific individual requirements that need to be met, but they are the exact same person they have always been. It is important that all residents continue to enjoy life as much as possible, as a diminished quality of life can lead to depression and anxiety.
Seniors experience the same emotions we do, and they may be nervous as they enter a facility because of so many new experiences, new people, and completely new surroundings. Therefore, it is crucial that all seniors in care facilities participate in social activities.
Continue reading to learn more about some of the social activities that seniors can participate in and why it is so important for them to do so.
Swimming
Swimming is a wonderful social activity that can also help your loved one to become healthier. Many facilities have pools on site and even offer fitness classes, such as aqua aerobics in the water. These programmes are ideal for seniors, especially those who may have arthritis, as the water makes it easier for the body to move around.
Seniors can buddy up in the water and not only learn more about each other, but work out together and form new relationships with one another.
Dancing
Dancing is a wonderful, fun activity and it is also provides great aerobic exercise for seniors. Seniors who loved to dance in their prime will enjoy rekindling the memories that dancing brings back. There are certain dance classes that are more suited to seniors, such as Zumba, Salsa, and even ballroom dancing.
If your loved one likes to dance, but doesn’t feel comfortable in their abilities, they can sign up for classes too. This way, they will be able to socialise with others and also learn some new moves at the same time.
Cooking
They say that food helps bring people together and what better way to socialise than by sharing a delicious meal. If your loved one likes to cook, they may want to sign up for a cooking class. These classes will teach them how to cook different meals that they might not have tried out before and they can have fun in the kitchen with the other residents.
On the other hand, if your senior loved to cook and teach, he or she could create a demonstration and showcase it to other seniors in the facility or even teach them how to cook.
True Importance of Social Activities for Seniors
Social isolation is a problem that often plagues seniors and residential care facilities. This is because seniors may feel as though they have been forgotten, and they may experience bouts of loneliness, especially once their family returns to school and work.
Seniors who do experience social isolation have a decreased lifespan and they may start to experience poor health.
It is vital that seniors don’t begin to feel this way and that they participate in social activities as they can offer a range of benefits from allowing them to meet new people and make new friends, exercise their bodies and minds, and breathe in some fresh air.
Encourage Your Loved One to Participate in Social Activities
If you have a loved one who is in an aged care facility, encourage them to participate in as many of the social activities on offer at the facility. You may want to make some time to accompany them on a local outing from the centre as well.
If you are worried about your loved one’s overall social well-being, talk to their care provider and also schedule some fun activities for you and them to participate in together.