Did you know that over 810,000 people live in assisted living homes? That number is predicted to grow substantially in the coming years. Assisted living facilities help with daily living activities such as dressing, medication assistance, grooming, meals, and more. However, one of the most important benefits that Senior Living provides is enriching activities.
Why Are Senior Living Activities Important?
Activities have many benefits for seniors that live in assisted living and memory care homes. Enriching activities give structure for the day and something for the residents to look forward to. There is a sense of safety and purpose that is provided along with joy and pride. Further, activities promote mental, physical, social, and emotional stimulation, which is fundamental to one’s overall well-being. A lack of activities in one’s life can contribute to illness, depression, and premature death.
Some of the noted benefits of enriching activities in Senior Living are:
- Improved mood
- Enhanced cognition
- Increased physical health
- Social interaction and connection
- Cardiovascular strength
What Types of Activities Do Assisted Living and Memory Care Homes Offer?
There is a wide variety of activities that are offered in assisted living and memory care homes. Activities are often dependent on the individual, their interests, and capabilities and tend to tailor to one’s social, physical, and mental needs.
Physical Activities May Include:
- Group exercise
- Walking or jogging
- Dancing
- Yoga
- Cycling
- Weight lifting
- Gardening
- Fishing
Social Activities May Include:
- Group outings to local restaurants and venues
- Scenic bus rides
- Summer BBQ’s
- Board games
- Bingo
- Exercise classes
- Bible study group
- Book club
- Lectures and guest speakers
- Art classes
- Movie night
Mental Activities May Include:
- Reading
- Meditation
- Pet therapy
- Listening to music
- Playing a musical instrument
- Crafts
- Woodworking
- Writing
- Puzzles
- Engage in meaningful conversations
- Bake and cook
Engaging in meaningful activities that interest the individual will help with their overall wellness and enhance quality of life while residing in assisted living and memory care.
How Frequently Should Seniors Participate in Enriching Activities?
Daily activities and movement are essential for the overall well-being of seniors living in assisted living or memory care. As a general rule, individuals should participate in about 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week. This can be increased as desired. Getting up and moving in whatever capacity a person can is important to enhancing balance and lessening the chance of falls. Mind stimulating activities and engaging in purposeful social activities should be incorporated daily and will help decrease the chance of depression and cognitive decline.
Consider The Cottages Senior Living
The Cottages Senior Living will provide the best environment for your loved one. Their small, home-like atmosphere and high staff-to-resident ratio helps ensure that the residents are well cared for and their needs are addressed. The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care homes only have a maximum of 16 residents per home, which enables the staff to give more personalized care and the residents to get to know one another. The activities are tailored to the residents’ wants and desires, creating life-enriching moments. The activities are overseen by our quality of life coordinators, who are dedicated to enhancing each residents quality of life.
The Cottages offers home-cooked meals that not only follow dietary guidelines but are also delicious and nutritious. The administrator has an open-door policy and is never too busy to meet with family or answer questions. The home and atmosphere feels calm and happy and look like a home. The Cottages are secure but never feel like an institution or hotel. The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care have received numerous national and state quality awards for their well-run homes, exuding superior care.
If you are looking for an exceptional assisted living or memory care home, look no further. Call The Cottages today to schedule a tour or speak with one of our experts! (208) 475-1805.
References
Brain Exercises: Can They Help Older Adults?. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/brain-exercises-seniors
Cognitive Health and Older Adults. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults
Schedule a tour!
We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about the care you or your loved ones will receive at one of our Idaho locations.
If you have any questions, would like to tour one of the Idaho assisted living homes, or receive a no pressure consultation with one of our licensed Administrators, please fill out the form below. Please mention which location or locations are of interest to you.
