Unique Hobbies for Seniors in Albany, IN Assisted Living

When we talk about aging, we're often focused on health problems, potential mood disorders, or fall prevention. While such senior wellness topics are important, they neglect the more positive side of getting older. Going from working full-time to having hours of free time per day can be daunting at first. Many seniors choose to pick up a hobby as a way to fill the hours.

According to studies such as the one by Joe Verghese et al., these retirement hobbies are more than just a way to pass the time. They're a great way to support mental, physical, and emotional health. If you're interested in reading more about unique hobbies and how seniors here in Albany, IN can incorporate them into their retirement, read on for more information on this positive senior wellness topic.

Creative Hobbies for Seniors

Creative art, such as painting or creating collages, can be very beneficial for seniors, especially those experiencing cognitive decline. These pursuits engage the mind and hand-eye coordination. Getting the details right while painting involves a lot of fine motor control. As seniors perfect their brushstrokes, they'll strengthen their hands and improve dexterity, reducing the possibility of dropping things.

Painting or sketching also provides a light cognitive workout through planning out a piece of artwork and sequencing the tasks. Working through the process and dealing with barriers or obstacles is a great way to engage the brain. The sustained focus on creating art can reduce stress levels and create a more relaxed mood.

Seeing a senior produce their first complete artwork always shows a clear confidence boost.

While painting isn't as affordable as some other hobby choices, it's still relatively affordable. It's easy to work on painting for a short session, making it ideal for seniors with a busy calendar.

Connect With Memories Through Music

Singers who are more musically inclined but never had time in their working life to pick up an instrument can try giving it a shot as a senior. Those who pick up the guitar in their 60s are unlikely to become Eric Clapton, but they can certainly learn some basic chords to facilitate cozy sing-alongs with friends and family.

Learning to play guitar chords is challenging, especially for seniors who have issues with their hands, but learning to consistently change chords helps build up finger strength.

Learning to play guitar can give seniors a clear sense of purpose because there is a clear progression with incremental rewards. For example, according to David Temperley and Trevor de Clercq, when you learn how to play basic chords, each new chord position unlocks a whole new repertoire of popular songs. Being able to play their favorite songs from their youth can lift a senior's mood and help them ground themselves in something positive.

For some seniors, playing an instrument is simply out of the question due to health problems like mobility, or it might simply be impractical to play an instrument in their living environment. They could still enjoy a musical hobby as a listener rather than a performer.

Some seniors like to collect vinyl records or spend their time exploring exciting new musical genres. Retirement is the perfect time to broaden your musical horizons and expand your music selection.

Assisted Living Activities: Stay Active and Stay Safe

Seniors should try to do at least one hobby that incorporates fitness and movement. The best way to prevent seniors from falling is to get active and build up their fitness level. Falls are often caused by things like weakness in the leg or poor balance. Seniors who go on long walks several times a week, or who do movement-based activities like Tai Chi or Yoga, are much less likely to fall.

Physical fitness makes a big difference to quality of life, but the difference between those who exercise and those who don't is particularly pronounced in the Senior age bracket. Seniors who don't exercise face greater health problems and high rates of depression.

Current U.S.government guidance recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity

Consider these fitness for seniors exercise options:

• Mix weekly training: Do 3 moderate cardio sessions, 2 strength days, and brief balance work most days.
• Build strength: Use light bands for leg, hip, and calf exercises.
• Walk safely: Wear supportive shoes, choose well-lit flat routes with benches, and see if you can walk with a friend.
• Fix hazards at home: Add automated night-lights, secure cords, remove loose rugs, and install grab bars and non-slip mats.
• Review risks: Have a clinician check medications, schedule annual vision and hearing tests

Digital Skills Unlock Unique Hobbies

Lots of unique hobbies these days depend on digital literacy. For example, even attending museums increasingly assumes visitors have a smartphone. Seeing as you can't use smartphones and laptops, you may feel excluded from social activities. Teaching the basics of how to use them can really broaden horizons and open up new possibilities for hobbies.

Here are a few examples of what seniors could do with digital skills.

• AI portraits: create fun images of yourself, friends, or family
• Video games: try puzzle, word, or motion-based titles for fun and coordination
• Personal website: build a simple site on a favorite topic with drag-and-drop tools
• Social connections online: use social media and forums, with basic privacy settings
• Local news: follow reputable outlets, newsletters, and neighborhood apps

Set Up a Tour Today

Ideally, seniors will have a varied selection of hobbies, some of which will improve fitness through movement and exercise. But seniors also need to have activities to boost their mental and emotional well-being. 

It's easier to do these unique hobbies when you're surrounded by like-minded peers and supportive staff. Here at Bennett Place Assisted Living, we take pride in helping all our residents explore the activities they want.

We have a varied activities and events calendar throughout the year to keep seniors of all personality types active, positive, and engaged. Through our Veterans Program, we offer half off the first month's rent to new residents who have served our country in the military.

If you want to learn more about the healthy aging strategies and social activities for seniors we offer, we'd love to meet you in person. Contact us today and leave your details, and we can set up a tour.