Explore Social Engagement Opportunities for Seniors
The U.S. CDC reports that one in four American adults lack social and emotional support, while a third feel lonely. Older adults, especially those who live alone, are among those with the highest risk of experiencing these problems. They are serious concerns, as they can raise a person's risk of developing severe physical and mental health conditions.
If you or an older loved one lives alone and has limited connections or things to do, now is the best time to start engaging in social activities. From seniors meeting seniors at community centers to volunteering and joining clubs, these are the top elderly engagement ideas to consider.
To that end, our team at Clay Gardens Place in Zanesville, OH, put together this guide exploring social opportunities for seniors. Read on to learn more about them and their benefits.
Seniors Meeting Seniors at Citizen Centers
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), the U.S. has over 11,000 senior citizen centers, serving over a million older adults daily. They serve as focal points for community events for seniors, and over 60% deliver services under the Older Americans Act (OAA).
For those reasons, senior citizen centers are great spots for seniors to meet other seniors. They also provide an excellent environment for recreational and educational activities for retired adults of all ages. Here are some examples of what they offer to their elderly members:
- Health and fitness programs, including exercise, dance, and yoga
- Art-based activities, such as watercolor and card-making classes
- Music-related events, including karaoke and DJ classes
- Educational programs
- Donation-based congregate meals
If all that sounds like a great deal to you or your older loved one, and you live in Zanesville, OH, the Muskingum County Center for Seniors is one of your top options.
Participating in Volunteer Community Service
Community volunteering is one of the best senior social activities, and it can also help older adults stay mentally and physically active.
When you volunteer, you can better connect with your community and do your part in improving it. Helping out with tasks, regardless of how minor you think it is, can make a massive difference in the lives of people and animals in your area.
Volunteering activities are also great as senior networking events. They open up opportunities to meet other adults within your age bracket who dedicate their time to helping the community. You can also connect with younger folks, expand your social network, and enhance your social skills.
Many volunteering events also require thinking, concentrating, and moving about. So, they can be ideal additions to seniors' active lifestyles.
Also, you'll likely feel happier and more satisfied doing something meaningful. It can give you a better sense of purpose and connectedness, helping you feel less isolated or lonely.
Indeed, according to the Mayo Clinic Health System, research has shown that volunteering benefits older adults by enhancing their physical and mental health. It can also lower rates of anxiety and depression, especially among people 65 and over.
Joining Social Senior Clubs
Social clubs are groups formed around shared interests, activities, or hobbies. Some are specifically for older adults, while others have no age requirement.
Clubs that promote social, recreational, physical, and mental engagement are some of the best options for seniors. Examples include:
- Walking clubs
- Gardening clubs
- Senior-friendly sports clubs
- Exercise clubs
- Arts and crafts clubs
Some clubs and groups also engage in volunteer work.
An example is the AARP (formerly the American Association of Retired Persons). It offers adults 50 and older many opportunities to stay active and engaged, including educational workshops, exercise classes, arts and crafts programs, and community service projects. It also organizes and hosts farmer's market events, which aren't only social but educational, too, helping spread awareness about healthier food choices.
Transitioning to a Senior Living Community
Senior living communities specifically cater to the living requirements of older adults, providing them with a safe, healthy, and supportive environment as they age. Here, residents live a maintenance-free lifestyle while enjoying access to personalized care and support as needed. The best ones promote and encourage social engagement and healthy living through senior-friendly programs.
For example, here at Clay Gardens Place in Zanesville, OH, our residents enjoy the following perks of assisted living.
Stimulating Daily Activities and Events
Our assisted living community offers residents many daily opportunities to socialize, have fun, and stay physically active. Some of the activities and events we organize to help keep their minds and bodies stimulated include:
- Morning exercises
- Walking, baking, book, and card clubs
- Fitness activities, including tai-chi and chair volleyball
- Educational programming
- Games including bingo, checkers, billiards, cards, and word puzzles
- Bible studies and church services
- Live entertainment
- Movie nights
We also have family nights, happy hours, self-care/pampering days, and special themed events, such as Trick or Treat. With so many different activity options, you'll likely find more than one that will interest you or your older loved one.
Dining Made More Enjoyable and Social
Another way that we foster social connectedness in our older residents is by encouraging them to enjoy our social dining program. We serve delicious, nutritious, well-balanced meals in our warm and inviting dining area, where residents can enjoy them with their fellow residents. By making meals social, we aim to make our residents feel more connected, give them more reason to look forward to eating, and minimize the risks of meal skipping.
Our community's expert kitchen team also accommodates dietary preferences and nutritional requirements. So, whether you or your older loved one needs less salt or more protein, we can provide you with the tasty yet nutritious meals you require.
Tour Our Social and Welcoming Senior Living Community Today
Here at Clay Gardens Place Assisted Living in Zanesville, OH, we make seniors meeting seniors, staying mentally stimulated, and having fun a lot simpler. We also encourage our residents to be more social and make healthier choices, such as joining group fitness and wellness activities. Plus, our delicious and nutritious meals keep our residents well-nourished, giving them more energy to socialize and do things that they find meaningful.
We invite you to schedule your visit to our assisted living community today. We'll happily give you a tour so you can see in person what we do to help our residents thrive.