While the COVID-19 pandemic has kept many people — especially seniors — indoors, it’s still a great time to keep the mind active. From puzzles to indoor exercise and more, there are plenty of hobbies for seniors that can still be done from the comfort of their room or home.
Let’s take a look at some of the best indoor activities for seniors to promote healthy aging. When the days get too hot in the summer or when it’s bitterly cold in the winter months, seniors can rely on these tips to keep the brains and bodies active.
Top 8 Indoor Activities for Seniors
1. Seated Exercise
While you might love to go for long walks or swim every day, it’s hard to keep up with some of these activities when you’re inside. Instead, opt for some seated exercise options to get the blood pumping and keep active. If they’re more advanced, consider sharing some no-equipment workouts, like a YouTube Zumba class or Deupree House Wellness Director Chloe Hough’s Wellness Wednesday video series.
2. Reading
Keeping the mind sharp is a crucial aspect of healthy aging. One of the best ways to exercise the mind is by reading. Choose what you love, whether that’s fiction or nonfiction. Find a few good books from the library or order some from your favorite bookseller. Consider starting or joining a book club, or share what you’re reading with those you love.
3. Visual Art
Think about what you loved to do when you were a kid. Did you enjoy drawing? Painting? Playing with clay? Whatever it is, consider revisiting that project now. Not only can it be a lot of fun, but it keeps your mind limber in creative mode.
4. Games and Puzzles
This is another excellent way to keep your mind active. Whether you want to play on a board or your smart device, games can help you connect with other people and inspire some healthy competition. Beyond that, doing puzzles or puzzle books (like Sudoku, crosswords, and others) will encourage you to problem-solve and think creatively to find new solutions.
5. Photography
Even if you’ve never picked up a camera before, photography is an enjoyable hobby. You can learn and practice by taking pictures of things around your home or visitors you may have. Then, when you go somewhere else, you can show off your skills by capturing great images of the places and people you see.
6. Scrapbooking
Once you’ve taken those photos, it’s time to do something with them! Get some supplies from a craft store and start organizing your memories. You can use photos from years ago or ones that you’ve taken just recently. No matter what you create, it will be a cherished memory for you and your loved ones.
7. FaceTime & Video Calls
Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you can’t chat with friends and family! Maintaining social connections is an integral part of keeping a healthy mind, but it can be difficult when you’re staying at home. So, schedule times to visit with your loved ones virtually.
At Deupree House, we understand how important technology can be to our seniors’ quality of life, but we also know that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why we implemented an iPhone and iPad class for our residents to embrace technology and use their devices to the fullest.
8. Learning
For those who consider themselves lifelong students, this is an excellent option. Never stop learning. Find an online class through your local library, download an exciting podcast that teaches you new information or pick up a book on ancient civilizations (or whatever topic interests you!). Exploring new information and learning new things is a great way to keep your mind limber.
Just because you’re spending more time inside your home or independent living community right now doesn’t mean you should be bored! There are plenty of ways to keep your mind active and stay busy — this list is just a sampling. No matter what hobby you choose to focus on or pick up during this time, you’re sure to keep your brain and body active.
