The Arbor Company Senior Living Blog

If you’re the sort of person who spends summer months tending a gorgeous garden, reaps the benefits of the harvest in the fall, and plans a spring vacation before the leaves have even fallen, winter can be tough. There’s less to do, and less light by which to do it. Scientists say that this can even cause depression. But that doesn’t mean you have to hide in a blanket fort all winter, waiting for warmer weather and more fun. These great indoor activities for seniors may convince you that getting cozy can be fun, too.

There’s nothing like the holiday season to inspire a bit of creativity. This year especially, many family members are looking for ideas about how to safely connect with senior loved ones. One way to share an experience, whether in person or over a video call, is to work on an arts and crafts project together. We’ve taken the time to compile some of our favorite Christmas crafts for seniors that can be enjoyed by anyone in the family.

Forty percent of seniors report regularly experiencing loneliness. Loneliness can really sting, and that pain extends well beyond your emotions. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services calls loneliness an epidemic, with far-reaching consequences for our well-being. Loneliness may even shorten your life. Retirement is your chance to finally live life on your own terms without the demands of employment and raising children. Don’t spend it alone. The right senior social clubs can help you thrive in retirement so you can enjoy the life you’ve worked so hard to earn. Check out these great options.

More research is showing that adults need to exercise their bodies and their minds in order to stay as healthy as possible. You can get your mind in shape by taking the time to work on your memory daily. Don’t worry; you don’t need to complete a difficult or time-consuming crossword puzzle in order to see the benefits of this. In fact, many memory games for seniors are fun to play and can even be another way to socialize with friends.

Here are a few of our favorite memory games for seniors, which you can add to your weekly routine.

You’ve worked for decades knowing that retirement was on the horizon, and though you may have loved your career, you can’t help but look forward to the extra time that retirement brings. However, some older adults find that adjusting to retirement takes a little longer than expected. Whether you are approaching retirement soon or already retired, here are a few tips for making the adjustment to retired life easier.

Connecting with others is important at all ages. However, research has shown us that socialization with peers is even more important as we age. Feelings of perceived loneliness have been linked to rapid cognitive decline, numerous health problems, and even premature death. Fortunately, older adults don’t have to host huge parties in order to reap the benefits of socialization. Instead, cultivating relationships with small groups of family members or peers can boost overall emotional and physical health.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has drastically altered life for all of us, including vulnerable populations. Older adults, including those with underlying health conditions, are likely spending more time at home in recent weeks. Though staying at home can feel cozy and comfortable initially, it often doesn’t take too long for even the biggest homebody to feel stir-crazy.

Retirement doesn’t mean sitting in your rocking chair, nor that the most exciting thing in your life has to be your weekly bingo game. Now is a great time to cultivate a new hobby, or revive an old one. Gardening offers a dynamic option that’s full of surprises, challenges, and year-round change, making it the perfect choice for seniors of all skill levels. Whether you grow a small row of seeds, tend to indoor orchids and succulents, or commit to a small farm in your backyard, virtually everyone can enjoy gardening. Even if you think you have a brown thumb, here are some reasons to give green-thumb life a try. 

Today, older adults are often just as tech-savvy as their younger peers. This ability to download apps and interact successfully with technology, when paired with technological advancements that directly benefit older adults, means that seniors can find apps or online programs for a variety of needs. From medication administration assistance to fall prevention technology to cognitive exercise, technology has stepped into the spotlight for older adults.

Technology offers a variety of options for today’s older adult, including plenty of ways to exercise the brain. Check out just a few of our favorite apps that will give your brain a workout.