Seniors and elderly citizens, especially those under assisted home care, need time for recreation and indulging activity. Leisure activities help promote their well-being and fulfil their need for mental and physical activeness. The idea of holding fun activity events also gives them a chance to cope with depression or stress that comes with isolation. In case you work in a home care facility, you need to hold some small events for elderly citizens for their recreation. This becomes a part of your daily nursing care tasks. For this purpose, we list 10 entertaining events for elderly citizens. Note that not every person is the same, and the entertainment may vary from person to person. But more of that later, let us take a look at some of the most entertaining event’s activities.
- Open Mic Nights
Everyone loves to sing, and that holds for elderly citizens. You can look for local cafes and pubs that hold free mic sessions. These open mic nights provide a performance venue and a platform for aspiring musicians. Holding such an event exclusively for the elderly will give them a chance to sing in front of others and feel appreciated openly. Encourage them to do so, so their self-confidence also elevates. You never know when a talent lurks in a corner, and you might get a musician out of it. Some of them will be talented with musical instruments and will surely appreciate a place to display their talent. This is a great way to support local talent, and some new voices can be heard. Others might also want to join in and make this event a more fun activity for the elderly. Try looking for new coffee clubs and cafes for such action.
- Bingo Sessions
While it may seem like a cliché, bingo is one of the most favourite activity among seniors. Holding a bingo session in your care home facility will give them leisure time without the worry of managing them. In case any emergency arises, they will be under your supervision and will receive immediate help. Luxury retirement villages Sydney hold regular bingo sessions on weekly or monthly bases. Rewarding them with gifts in winning, no matter how small, will give them a sense of value. The might also wait anxiously for another bingo night. This one is a particular event that elders will likely to participate in and win something.
- Joining Reading Clubs
Reading is a healthy habit that many prefer to do during their leisure time and as a hobby. This is true for elderly citizens also as they came from a generation where digital reading was not a thing. Their primary source of entertainment was to read, and they took this habit till now. Reading is an excellent way for the elderly to keep themselves entertained, and their brain engaged. As an event, you can hold reading club sessions for the elderly weekly and encourage them to show their enthusiasm for book reading. You can bring books that they prefer, so they enjoy the course more often.
- Outdoor Theatre/Movie
Outdoor movie night or theatre is a great way to refresh them from a hard day’s work altogether. Many local theatres put on an exclusive show or theatre events that elderly citizens are sure to enjoy. Bring in some snacks and vintage hits, and you will have an event that elderly citizens will surely appreciate. You can take this up a bit and have the event organized in open space theatre.
- Chess Session
Chess is a classic game that has proven itself as a tool to improve logical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Chess is a popular activity among male citizens mostly. Organize it in a championship manner that will competitively engage them. A game of chess can go on for hours and will become an excellent recreation for the elderly. Try organizing multiple tables and make the event into a knockout session. They will surely enjoy the competition and feel valued in doing so.
- Birdwatching
Take the elderly deep into the wilderness and engage them in birdwatching. The idea here is to let them indulge in their surroundings and have a walk in nature. Older citizens with limited mobility will also enjoy hearing the birds sing and keep track of bird species. You can let them observe and note down the different species they spot and log it into their diaries. They can also collect feathers and paste them in a keepsake book or a frame.
- Participate in Charity
Engage the elderly citizens in community events by taking them in charitable activities. They might not enjoy concerts or any other place with loud noises. Hence a simple community engagement will work for them.
- Art Classes
Take the elderly to an art gallery or organize an art session inside the premises of the institution. Art induces creativity and a feeling of calmness in people and will work for the elderly also. Sketching, water colouring, and acrylic artistry will surely bring out the inner creativity in them.
- Field Trips
Field trips are a fun-filled experience, especially for the elderly. They will appreciate the experience as well as the effort put in by you to take them there. No one wants to spend all the time at home and need an outing to refresh themselves. You can organize field trips to museums, art galleries, or take them somewhere natural. You can partner with community services to help senior volunteer for such events also.
- Picnic
There is something exceedingly mesmerizing about a picnic to the beach for everybody, and elderly folks also love it. Arrange a picnic to the beach spot and let them enjoy open water and sunlight. They can enjoy the beach and water sports for a whole day and return in a fully refreshed way. You can arrange a picnic for other locations also if they are not comfortable with beaches.
Final Word
Our elderly citizens need care support from our side as much as we can give them. They become isolated if they are not adequately cared for and may feel depressed. Organizing fun-filled activities will make them happy as well as they will feel valued. It is, therefore, essential to arrange such events for them regularly to keep them contented and happy.
