Best Things for Seniors to Do on a Rainy Day

A recent study from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found about a third of senior adults’ experience loneliness, and about a quarter of them are isolated. Particularly for seniors who are experiencing hearing loss, chronic illness, or a shrinking social circle, feelings of isolation can be difficult to overcome. This is hard on a person’s mental health and can have an impact on physical health as well. Social isolation has been found to increase the risk of dementia by as much as 50 percent and it’s also believed to increase the risk of stroke and heart disease by about 30 percent.

How can you help your senior loved ones maintain their physical and mental health? Find ways to connect with them and encourage them to connect with others. While taking a stroll or going on an outing are great ideas, indoor activities are sometimes more suitable things to do on a rainy day or when it’s too cold to go outside. Fortunately, we have plenty of suggestions for fun indoor activities for seniors.

• Baking can be beneficial in many ways. It’s a bonding experience and a great way for older people with arthritis to exercise their joints by kneading dough and stirring batter. The end result is especially rewarding because you’ll have baked goods to eat and share. Here’s a handy tip: If you’re making pies, make an extra crust and fill it with pot pie filling. Wrap the pot pie in foil and stick it in the freezer, and your friend or loved one will have an easy meal to prepare on a cold day.
• Board games are fun and good for the brain. Go for the old standards like chess, backgammon, checkers, or Monopoly or try something new. Apples to Apples can be a fun way to get some laughs, and there are other games that encourage creativity or require reasoning skills. Even a simple indoor scavenger hunt is fun for all ages! Exercising the brain is always a worthwhile endeavor in addition to old fashioned fun.
• Do some indoor gardening. Gardening inside is easy with indoor hydroponic garden kits. When you’re wondering what to do on a rainy day, there’s nothing quite so rewarding as growing your own herbs and vegetables inside. Watching plants grow and thrive can be beneficial to your mood as well!
• Working puzzles is one of the best indoor activities for seniors. Choose a 1,000-piece puzzle over an easier one because it will occupy a good amount of time and be a challenge. Doing a puzzle stimulates the brain and works a person’s spatial reasoning skills. It also is a great activity to do with children and grandchildren.

A benefit of active senior living is that residents are never at a loss for rainy day activities. If you’re looking for a senior community that values and nurtures its residents, come take a tour of a Cambridge Village community. At each Cambridge Village location, you can experience all the reasons that we’re considered North Carolina’s premier Optimal Living® community for active adults. We offer an exceptional lifestyle, with evolving wellness, concierge healthcare, and engaged experience, for a retirement experience that exceeds your expectations. For more information, contact us through our website.