Social Activities for Seniors at Village at the Falls Senior Living
Engaging in social activities for seniors can encourage connection, belonging, and joy. You can find active aging programs through your Menomonee Falls, WI senior living community.
According to a study published in Communications Technology, people are becoming increasingly bored. Boredom could cause your mental and physical health to decline. It may lead to social isolation, loneliness, and anxiety.
Before that happens, look for social activities for seniors in Menomonee Falls, WI. Retirement community engagement could give you a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. It could boost your mental, physical, and emotional wellness.
Why is group connection important, and what senior events occur in WI? Read on to find out!
Why Is Group Connection Important?
Group connection and social activity may reduce risk factors of social isolation and loneliness. It may improve your health by helping to:
- Reduce the risk of dementia
- Improve your mental health
- Improve life satisfaction and quality of life
- Reduce the risk of some cancers
- Extend your longevity
- Foster a sense of purpose and belonging
- Reduce the risk of anxiety and depression
- Improve memory and thinking skills
- Reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease
Who Is At Risk of Social Isolation?
Lifestyle factors that may increase your risk of social isolation and loneliness include:
- Lack of transportation
- Loss of mobility
- Vision or hearing problems
- Separation from friends or family
- Lacking social support
- Language barriers
- Experience discrimination based on your racial or ethnic background, age, or sexual orientation
- Caring for a loved one who is unwell
- Living in a rural or hard-to-reach area
- Major life changes (including retirement and the death of a family member)
- Psychological or cognitive challenges
- Financial struggles
- Living alone
- Feeling a lack of purpose
- An inability to leave home without help
If you're facing these risk factors, reach out to members of your Menomonee Falls community. Consider senior living options like Village at the Falls. You can enjoy resident programs that encourage group connection, reducing your risk of social isolation.
Social Activities for Seniors
For retirement community engagement, check resident programs through your senior living community. Here are a few social activities for seniors that they may offer.
Exercise for Active Aging
Movement can boost the production of "feel-good" endorphins. You can find group exercise classes through your senior living community's fitness program, including:
- Hiking and walking groups
- Tai chi
- Yoga and chair yoga
- Weight lifting and resistance band training
- Aerobics
- Swimming and water aerobics
- Pilates and barre
Group exercise classes can help you connect with other seniors. Walking with friends may also help:
- Increase motivation and accountability
- Reduce social isolation and loneliness
- Reduce stress
- Exercise the brain (protecting thinking skills and memory)
- Keep you on a schedule
- Keep you safe
- You maintain a steady pace
Try spending more time outside. Making use of outdoor spaces may help reduce your risk of depression and heart disease. Spending up to 120 minutes a week in nature may improve your health and well-being.
Outdoor activities include:
- Taking a stroll around the neighborhood
- Hiking on a nature trail
- Walking or biking with friends
- Gardening
- Playing with grandchildren
- Participating in outdoor excursion groups for seniors
- Joining a sports club for older adults
Dining
Explore your senior living community's dining program and spend meals alongside friends. Dining together may help:
- Encourage you to open up
- Reduce the risk of chronic conditions
- Strengthen relationships
- Improve nutrition
- Improve mobility
- Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms
- Reduce loneliness and social isolation
- Improve your overall well-being
Hobbies for Group Connection
According to UCLA Health, enjoying hobbies may improve your mental well-being. Engaging in enjoyable activities could increase your life satisfaction and levels of happiness.
You can find hobbies for group connection through your senior living community's events and activities program. Consider:
- Arts and crafts
- Knitting or crocheting
- Cooking or baking
- Painting with watercolors
- Joining a book club
- Going to the movies
- Hosting a potluck
- Joining a coffee club
- Hosting a bake-off
- Playing board or card games
- Learning a language
- Learning computer skills
- Gardening
- Joining a book club
- Playing an instrument
- Doing puzzles
- Exploring Menomonee Falls
- Pet therapy
- Art therapy
- Trying new restaurants
- Birdwatching
- Hiking
- Dancing
- Visiting local museums
Volunteering
Volunteering can give you a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. Giving back to your community may help boost your self-esteem and mood.
You can volunteer at the local:
- Library
- School
- Museum
- Animal shelter
- Places of worship
- Community park or garden
- Local theater group
- Community choral group
Support Groups
If you're isolating yourself or struggling to socialize, consider joining a support group. You can lean on other seniors who understand what you're going through. Their support may benefit your mental and emotional wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Signs of Social Isolation?
Common signs of social isolation include:
- Canceling plans often
- Feeling relieved after canceling plans
- Feeling panic, anxiety, or dread when thinking about social interactions
- Feeling distressed during times of solitude
- Spending a lot of time alone
- Having limited interactions with other people
- Avoid social interactions and hobbies you once enjoyed
- Changes in eating habits
- Feeling overwhelmed by basic tasks
- Difficulty concentrating and/or communicating
- Fatigue and headaches
Reach out to your Menomonee Falls, WI senior living community if you experience these symptoms. Retirement community engagement can give you a sense of belonging and purpose. Spending time with others could help you avoid health complications associated with social isolation.
What Should Lonely Seniors Do?
If you're feeling lonely, look for ways to connect with others or feel useful within your community. Try:
- Smiling to make people comfortable
- Asking people about themselves
- Inviting friends over for tea or coffee
- Calling or texting friends and family
- Using FaceTime, Zoom, or other video chat services
- Getting involved in local community activities
- Journaling
- Going out
- Helping others
Engage in Senior Events WI
Engaging in social activities for seniors may boost your mood and overall well-being. You can gain a sense of belonging and purpose within your community. Find opportunities for social engagement through your Menomonee Falls senior living community.
Village at the Falls offers independent living with supportive services. Our exclusive senior lifestyle programs include homestyle meals, in-house activities like bingo and mahjong, and engaging fitness classes like yoga.
Discover a community filled with creativity, fun, and friendship. Contact us now to schedule your tour.