Senior Housing | Staying Busy In The Winter

Staying active and engaged is crucial regardless of age. However, it is also essential to maintain social connections for residents in senior housing, particularly during the cold winter months. The colder, darker, and longer days can lead to isolation, depression, and physical decline.

Physical activities and engagement combat feelings of loneliness, improve mood, maintain cognitive function, and contribute to a happy and fulfilled life in senior housing. While outdoor activities are limited during winter, many indoor activities keep senior residents occupied and socially stimulated, essential for their physical and overall well-being.

Indoor Activities for Senior Housing

You can try these indoor activities with family, friends, and carers.

Board games are not only good for maintaining a connection with residents but also good for mental stimulation.
Puzzles, jigsaw, word searches, crossword puzzles, and Sudoku are classic games that keep the mind sharp.
Painting, knitting, or sewing is relaxing while enhancing creativity.
Cooking or baking sessions with family or friends can be fun to learn new skills.

All suggested activities involve different cognitive functions that slow mental decline. Completing a puzzle or a game gives a sense of accomplishment, the same feeling you get when you create a delicious dish. Engaging in these simple yet fun activities is also beneficial for maintaining fine motor skills while making memories with loved ones.

Community Events

Offering a variety of community events can create an uplifting and vibrant environment throughout the winter season. Movie nights, for example, allow senior residents to share experiences and thoughts about the movie, breaking free from their daily routines. Movie nights are also accessible for everyone, including residents with limited mobility.

Meanwhile, holiday parties and gatherings foster a feeling of belonging, reducing loneliness and isolation. When you are with the people you care about on special occasions, the festive atmosphere can boost your mood and bring you joy.

Attend fitness classes organized by senior housing facilities to enhance balance, flexibility, and strength, reducing the risk of falls typical among seniors. These classes are also great opportunities to meet new friends and socialize. In addition to social connection, engaging in physical activities releases good and happy hormones called endorphins to alleviate signs of depression and anxiety. Joining community events can boost the mood, kicking off the winter blues and allowing you to get out of your room and socialize.

Outdoor options

Even during winter, outdoor activities are still an option, but with careful safety and accessibility considerations.

Weather permitting, a stroll around a senior housing facility can be a great way to get some fresh air and an opportunity for light exercise. However, make sure to do this safely.
Do some gardening work on warmer days. Walk around or enjoy the view and the sunshine.
Set up bird feeders near your window or in the garden. This would be an excellent way to connect with nature.

Enjoy the winter scenery with a guide to ensure safety. Check the temperature first, bundle up, and wear boots with good traction to avoid slips and falls. Start with short walks and eventually increase the distance on your next walk.

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Fallbrook Assisted Living is proud to offer its services to Fremont, NE, and surrounding areas and cities: Arlington, Cedar Bluffs, Ames Nickerson, Fontanelle, Arlington, Leshara, Colon, and Hooper