Sheltering-at-home is one of the best ways to keep seniors safe during this trying time. Still, long periods at home can lead to boredom and resentment. And, experts warn that continued isolation can lead to heightened feelings of loneliness and negative mental health consequences. So, we’ve compiled a list of shelter-at-home activities for seniors to keep your loved one happy and engaged. In particular, we included a diverse selection of activities to cater to a wide variety of interests.
1) Virtual Arts and Culture Museum Tour
Seniors who appreciate art, history, and culture will enjoy exploring this virtual museum. Not only are these tours visually appealing, but they can also stimulate conversation outside of mundane topics. You and your loved one will love learning about artists like Vincent van Gogh, art mediums like watercolor, and historical events/figures.
2) Card Games
Whether or not you own a deck of cards, there are hundreds of card games to play at home. The Cardzmania website has a comprehensive list of games. We recommend browsing the site with your senior companion to see if there are any card games they remember playing as a child. From simple memory games to classics like poker, the site offers plenty of options to keep you and your senior engaged for many hours.
3) Live Animal-Cams
For the animal-lovers, we have several live-cam options. If you appreciate the graceful flight of eagles, try the Southwest Florida eagle cam. Several cameras provide live footage of a bald eagle nest in the area. Meanwhile, the New England Aquarium and San Diego Zoo offer live cams of hippos, penguins, tigers, and more. This is a perfect way to incorporate themes and diversity into your day. Some of these videos are educational and include tours of different parts of the zoo, while others allow you to simply enjoy watching an animal in its natural environment.
4) Exercise
Seniors who enjoy staying active will love these YMCA fitness videos, which specifically caters to them. Various dances, yoga, and resistance training are covered in these videos. Once you’ve tried the YMCA selections, YouTube has a diverse exercise community. You’ll find free salsa, jazz, and even Zumba exercises for seniors from “Senior Fitness With Meredith” and “Fitness with Cindy.”
5) Knit/Crochet Clubs
For seniors who love crafting and the social aspect of sewing circles, this activity is for you. Seniors can still enjoy social discourse while staying at home: just join an online group! Jayda In Stitches is a YouTube channel that offers free, easy-to-follow tutorials as well as fun, interactive games. Whether you’re into knitting, crochet, or quilting, there’s a YouTube community for you.
6) Adventure and Nature
If your senior misses park visits, walks, or hikes, we have some fun resources while they shelter at home. The National Park Service has dozens of live-feed videos all over the United States, featuring national treasures such as Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon, and Shenandoah National Park. Enjoy the sights and gorgeous scenery together. Perhaps, your shared viewing experience will spark a conversation about past favorite trips.
7) Podcasts
Looking for a better way to listen to current events or is your socially active senior missing the usual clubs/gatherings they attend? If so, check out the offerings by National Public Radio. There are dozens of genres and topics to choose from. Whether your interests lie in true crime, fashion, music, current events, or science, you’re sure to find an entertaining podcast or two.
David York Agency Understands the Importance of Shelter-at-Home Activities for Seniors
If the above information about shelter-at-home activities for seniors has been useful, check out David York Agency’s blog for more articles about senior care in Bergen County.
David York Agency understands the challenges of caregiving and is willing to provide all the support you need.
If you’d like more information about David York Agency’s qualified, compassionate caregivers, contact us at 908.373.5300. A free phone consultation can help you decide what services might be best. If you’d like to hear more from us, please like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.
David York Agency Home Healthcare remains committed to providing personalized care for your loved one. If you have questions about our services, please contact us. We can help you through the difficult times and give you the break you deserve!
