With Creativity Month upon us, why not consider ways seniors can enjoy the wonders of the imagination? A 2009 report published in The American Journal of Public Health looked at how engagement in creative arts provides health benefits. Whether in an assisted care environment or just enjoying retirement, creativity stimulates cognitive processes, relieves stress and promotes healing. What are some ways a senior living in Cincinnati can reap the rewards of creativity?

1. Read a Book

Reading improves the memory, a concern for many older people. Instead of going to a movie or watching TV, sit down with a good book or visit the local library. There are 40 in Cincinnati.

2. What About a Movie?

Nothing wrong with enjoying a good epic flick now and again and Cincinnati has five entertainment districts. It won’t be hard to find a theater to see a new film or a classic favorite.

3. Go Live

Instead of relying on film to inspire your imagination, take in a stage show. The theater is a vibrant part of Cincinnati culture. There is a number of professional companies available including:

• The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
• The Know Theatre of Cincinnati
• Stage First Cincinnati
• The Performance Gallery

The Aronoff Center hosts Broadway Across America with headliners like Wicked, Jersey Boys or The Lion King. During January, Aronoff is featuring Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

4. Take on a Project

Assisted care communities and adult day care centers often teach crafts to seniors to improve their cognitive functions and range of motion. Better yet, join a group that crafts for charity and do good for others while you do good for yourself.

5. Take up a New Hobby

Nobody says crafts have to be limited to a single project. How about a hobby like knitting or weaving? If you are feeling creative, take a class. Cheers to Art is a Cincinnati establishment that holds fun, social classes that teach step-by-step instructions in painting.

6. Learn to Play

If you always wanted to learn to play an instrument, now is the time. Take classes in piano and guitar at the Cincinnati Music Academy. Or, if you’ve always dream of the stage, try out a private acting class!

7. Have a Listen

If playing an instrument is a little too ambitious, enjoy listening to someone else play. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra holds regular events in January like the Louis Conducts Beethoven 2 on the 9th.

8. Chili Anyone?

If a city could be defined by food, then for Cincinnati, it would be chili. It is called the “Chili Capital of the World” for a reason. If you’re new to the area, or just haven’t tried our particular brand of chili before, it’s worth sampling at least once. Head on downtown to test out traditional favorites like Skyline Chili on Vine Street downtown or one of the multiple Gold Star Chili franchises.

9. Cook It Yourself

If you want to learn to make your own Cincinnati chili, how about taking a cooking class? The Learning Kitchen (which was voted one of the best in the city by Cincinnati residents) allows you to discover your inner chef—there might be a brand new chili recipe in there somewhere.

10. Go Historically Crazy

Cincinnati has a number of historic sites and museums to see. Head over to the Museum Center at Union Terminal to browse through the ever changing exhibits—including nationally and internationally renown traveling exhibitions— or take in a program at the Omnimax theater.

The city of Cincinnati has an entire district for the arts. The Arts & Backstage district sits just north of Fountain Square and offers a bevy of contemporary art galleries and historical presentations. We even have a unique hotel dedicated to museum quality exhibitions.

Being a senior in assisted care doesn’t mean you sit around and do nothing. Now is the time to make the most of your inner artist by getting creative in as many ways as possible.