Volleyball, with a traditional volleyball or with a lighter object like a beach ball or balloon, is a perfect activity to have residents be active! Traditional volleyball is suited for warmer weather and for the outdoors. So, if the weather limits your activities to indoors, try volleyball with balloons! They float more gently and more slowly, and are drastically reduce the chance of being hurt or causing damage. Be cautious of keeping adequate social distancing measures during the activity however!
Check out the original idea here.
Frisbee tossing is a great activity to keep your residents moving! The best part is it is inherently covid-friendly as the participants are already socially distanced. It can be played in any season, although winter will require adequate clothing! And it can be played with a group as small as 2, or scaled up to have dozens of players! Get your community a couple of frisbees and enjoy the fresh air with residents!
Learning a new language is a fantastic activity to keep residents' brains firing! No one is ever too old to learn a new language, and learning through an app on your own time is a perfect one-on-one activity for residents. Duolingo allows you to practice hearing and speaking a language by yourself! It can also be used to refresh your memory with regards to a language that's gathered rust over the years. Download Duolingo today. Also, consider other language learning applications if they better suit your residents. They are in large supply!
Check out the original idea.
Scrabble is an excellent game for training your mind, at whatever age, and is both fun and challenging. Even better, Scrabble is social and is meant to be played with friends. You can set up your resident to play in person with their friends, socially-distanced of course, or play anytime with the Scrabble GO! app. To add spice to the game and promote multilingualism, allow residents to form words in languages other than English (provided the same letters can be used), if they know another language! This will boost the dynamism of the game, promote language learning and create a stronger bond between residents!
Check out the original idea here.
Luminosity has been around since 2007 providing games through an app for all seniors! Their online program consists of games that improve memory, attention, mental flexibility, speed of processing, and problem solving. In addition, the games are fun and increase in difficulty, so that they challenge the player each time they play. You can download Lumosity as an app on a phone or tablet for your resident to try today (iOS or Android)!
Check out the original idea here!
Special spa days — including haircuts, manicures, and even skin treatments — foster well-being in everyone. Residents especially would enjoy a dedicated pampering day during these times of social isolation, anxiety and stress. Make their favourite beverage to complete the experience and rejuvenate your residents!
Check out the original idea here.
Many residents are music aficionados. Covid-19 has been tough on social gatherings, and that has put a damper on the opportunities available to enjoy live music. Consider bringing a musician in your community to play live music over the intercom for a short duration, or to a small group of residents inside a room with lots of open space. Residents who can play a musical instrument could even serve as the musician, playing live for their fellow neighbours to liven the mood!
Check out the original idea here.
Jewelry-making is an effective activity for maintaining fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. And, because the activity requires patience and planning, finishing a piece of jewelry is a fulfilling achievement. Have residents start making their own jewelry, either with kits or from scratch. As a bonus, their finished products can be worn, gifted or even sold! Selling jewelry could fully fund this dynamic activity, or even make a profit!
Check out the original idea here.
Sometimes, the greatest joy one can get is from giving back to others. Having a volunteer program for residents to participate in their local community is a great way to foster this sense of fulfillment that comes from being useful to others. Many local organizations everywhere would be delighted to have the help of resident volunteers. Activities can be whittled down to low-risk stations vis-à-vis covid exposure, like participating in a neighborhood cleanup program!
Check out the original idea here.
Creativity doesn't stop once you retire. If anything, residents have more time in their live to be creative these days! Teaching residents the skill of drawing will equip them with an outlet with which to express their creativity. Learning visual arts, especially drawing which is simple and can be done almost anywhere, will gives residents a new hold on life - a new skill with which to identify themselves and give new meaning to their life. consider holding a drawing class in person in your community, or finding free online video tutorials for residents to learn the basics of drawing and get them on their way to being artists!
Check out the original idea here.
