As we move through the winter months with shorter amounts of sunlight and chilly temperatures, it can take focused effort to feel our best. For older adults especially, staying active and social is key to maintaining mental, emotional and physical health. Lack of activity can heighten symptoms of depression, cause social isolation, and lead to increased risk of muscle atrophy. 

Thankfully, senior centers and senior living communities are committed to providing critical support all year round – their programming and activities are especially important during the colder months when we all have to resist the pull to stay indoors and hibernate. 

Here are a few ideas for keeping seniors active and connected all winter long!

Let’s Get Physical!

If residents or seniors can’t do their normal exercise routines outside due to bad weather, bring it inside! While taking a walk outside the senior community or local parks is a great way to workout and see something different, communities can definitely engage seniors with indoor workout programs.

To encourage seniors to get their steps in, set up a scavenger hunt inside the community that gets everyone moving around. Walking from their apartments, to the dining hall, to the pool room and other areas of the community, is a great way to get their steps in and bring some fun to their normal routine. Offering a nice hot meal at the community’s favorite local restaurant as a reward upon completion is sure to get everyone excited! 

To expose residents to a different form of wellness, try yoga. Of course, seniors don’t have to roll out a mat and hold downward dog and pigeon poses for 5 minutes if they aren’t able, but you can have them sit or stand and try different poses from where they’re comfortable. Standing mountain or seated butterfly poses are a great way to stretch, move the body, and even challenge the mind.

Make Time to Chat

Social isolation is a common worry for many families who don’t live nearby their aging parents. Fortunately, technology is making it easier to stay connected, even for older adults with vision, hearing, cognitive and physical challenges. For example, families and older adults using Caavo’s TV-based communication system can easily stay in touch by video chatting or sending photos, all using familiar TV technology. 

Caavo uses the senior’s TV to receive calls and texts, while the Caavo voice-controlled remote acts as a microphone to respond to text messages. Seniors love seeing family members pop onto their television and being able to chat with them without technical difficulties or needing assistance to get a call going. Connecting with family on a regular basis leads seniors to live happier and healthier lives, especially during colder months when they may not be socializing as often.

Hands-on Fun

Many seniors may remember taking home economics class in their youth, providing them with hands-on skills such as cooking or sewing. Learning new skills and spending time crafting is a great way to keep the mind active and bring excitement to daily life. 

There are a million different crafts and creative DIYs to have seniors do. Pottery with easy-dry clay, collage making, knitting or crocheting, painting, origami, writing poems- the list is truly endless! You could focus on a different activity every week to keep things fresh and be set until Spring! 

Creative activities don’t have to be so hands-on as well. Hosting a salsa or swing dancing night is a great way to get physically active and be artistic. It also gives the seniors a chance to simply listen to different genres of music, if they aren't in the mood to boogie.

While all of these activities can be organized year round, it’s especially important to bring a little extra light and joy to your residents during the coldest times of the year. Getting the residents active, socializing, and crafty is a sure-fire way to keep their moods elevated all the way to Spring!