Activities for Seniors in Long-Term Care
Engaging in activities provides multiple benefits. There are several fun activities for seniors to engage in while in long-term care.
Depending on the activity, seniors can benefit from the following:
- Better physical health
- Creative inspiration
- Greater independence
- Mental stimulation
- Social connections
Staying mentally, physically, and socially active contributes to seniors’ well-being, helping them maximize their enjoyment of their golden years.
Exceptional facilities in Utah that offer assisted living and skilled nursing services, such as Monument Health Group, provide several activities for residents to enjoy.
Why Activities Matter in Long-Term Care
Activities for seniors in long-term care offer distinct benefits.
Benefits of Cognitive Activities
Cognitive activities promote brain health, helping older adults retain their memory. Other benefits include reducing their stress levels and improving their self-esteem.
Benefits of Physical Activities
Seniors must perform activities of daily living, such as brushing their teeth, bathing, and dressing. The aging process can impede their ability to perform these tasks, which can be a source of frustration for some.
People who are physically active also have a decreased risk of developing dementia, cancer, and other severe health issues.
Additionally, physical activities can help older adults maintain muscle and bone strength, as well as improve their balance, which can enable them to perform more activities of daily living independently.
Benefits of Social Activities
Older adults in long-term care benefit from social activities that enable them to spend time enjoying meaningful interactions with others. Social connection reduces the risk of poor health from loneliness. Social interactions can also improve people’s moods.
Whether living in a skilled nursing or an assisted living facility, seniors benefit from staff offering social activities because these activities allow them to get to know other residents. They create environments where people feel comfortable approaching others and engaging in conversations or activities together.
Types of Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living Facilities
Older adults benefit from activities that fall into one or more categories. For example, book clubs promote cognitive health because they’re opportunities for discussion and analysis. They also foster social interactions and help people form connections.
Board games promote cognitive health by helping people retain their memory and problem-solving skills, while also providing recreational and social opportunities that foster social connections.
- Cognitive and Creative Activities
Cognitive activities provide mental stimulation and promote brain health. Cognitive activities seniors can enjoy include the following:
- Board games
- Book clubs
- Card games
- Puzzles
Creative activities also promote memory retention and focus, which are essential for maintaining brain health. Creative activities for older adults include the following:
- Art
- Dancing
- Playing musical instruments
- Writing
- Recreational and Social Activities
Recreational and social activities for older adults include the following:
- Board games
- Book clubs
- Community outings
- Cooking classes or demos
- Holiday celebrations
- Movie nights
Older adults also benefit from spending time with friends and family.
- Physical Wellness Activities
There are many light exercises that older adults can enjoy to help maintain their mobility by strengthening their muscles and improving their balance. Older adults can also benefit from modified exercises tailored to their unique needs if they have mobility issues.
Physical wellness activities for older adults include the following:
- Aerobics
- Chair yoga
- Gardening
- Swimming
- Walking
- Yoga
- Life Enrichment and Purposeful Activities
Seniors benefit from life enrichment and purposeful activities that help them remain active members of their community and experience personal fulfillment. Examples of life enrichment and purposeful activities for older adults include the following:
- Gardening
- Mentoring
- Pet therapy
- Volunteering
Benefits of These Activities
Engaging in activities in long-term care helps residents form social connections and develop a sense of community. Fostering a sense of community ensures residents feel at home and provides a sense of belonging.
Activities that promote both brain and physical health can also enable residents to retain their independence for longer, allowing them to perform some or all of their daily tasks with the assistance of facility staff as needed.
Since activities promote overall health and well-being, helping people develop social connections and engaging in activities will help improve residents’ quality of life, enabling them to enjoy their retirement.
Choosing the Right Facility in Utah
Assisted living facilities in Utah offer a range of activities tailored to appeal to individuals with diverse interests and lifestyles. Activities are available for both those exploring new hobbies and those with years of experience, allowing individuals to tailor their daily routine to suit their skill level and interests.
When touring an assisted living facility, ask about the daily activities offered, whether they provide transportation for social outings, and what the staff-to-resident ratio is during those outings. Asking questions about programming and staffing enables you to confirm the facility offers a wide selection of activities and social opportunities that will appeal to your older loved one.
Beneficial Activities for Seniors in Long-Term Care
Engaging in a variety of enriching activities helps older adults retain their health and quality of life. Exceptional long-term care facilities foster social connections while offering activities that promote cognitive health, creativity, physical activity, and life enrichment.
These facilities provide the support seniors need while fostering independence. Exploring your local options and learning how their activity programming will benefit your loved one will help you find an excellent long-term care facility.
Sources:
Cognitive Health and Older Adults. (2024).
Cristol, H. (2025). Secrets to Aging Well.
