Activities to keep seniors engaged and active at home

Staying engaged — mentally, physically and socially — protects an older adult’s health as directly as eating well does. None of the ideas below need special equipment or a lot of energy. Pick a few that match the person’s interests and abilities, and build them into the week.

For the mind

• Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, and card games — alone or with company.
• Reading, and being read to; large-print books and audiobooks from the library.
• Writing — a journal, letters, or setting down family stories and history.
• Learning something small and new: a language app, an online course, a craft.
• Virtual museum tours and documentaries about places and times they know.

For the body

Check with their doctor first, then keep it gentle and regular:

• Short walks — around the garden, the block, or just the house.
• Chair yoga and stretching to keep joints loose and reduce stiffness.
• Seated strength work with light weights or resistance bands.
• Balance practice — standing on one foot at the counter, heel-to-toe walking — with something sturdy to hold.
• Tai chi, which is well suited to older adults and good for balance.
• Music and a bit of dancing, even seated — good for mood as much as movement.

For staying connected

• Regular phone and video calls with family, put in the diary so they’re reliable.
• Letters and cards — sending as well as receiving.
• Online groups and virtual senior-center programs around a shared interest.
• In-person visits from family, friends, a faith community, or a companion caregiver.

Making it work

Match activities to what the person actually enjoys and can do now, keep the home safe for movement, offer variety so nothing gets stale, and aim for a little most days rather than a lot occasionally. A companion caregiver can be the person who makes these happen — the walk that gets taken, the puzzle that gets started, the call that gets made.

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Companionship and social engagement are part of what Selectives’ companion care is for. Call for a free consultation with no obligation.

This article is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice. For clinical questions, speak to your doctor.