One of the benefits of moving into an assisted living community is more access to social opportunities, which can be helpful for a number of reasons. Planned activities and easy options for socializationk for seniors can:
The staff at the Gardens at Barry Road in Kansas City, MO, works to ensure every resident has plenty of opportunities to choose from when it comes to socialization. And just by making your home in the assisted living community, you might find you have more convenient access to social activities than you would in a traditional home.
Find out more about the activities and social opportunities available at the Gardens at Barry Road below. They include both scheduled activities as well as some you can choose to take part in yourself.
The assisted living activities calendar often includes options such as crochet and embroidery, art, craft classes and rock painting. Join one of these scheduled events to learn how to make something, create together with others and swap laughter and stories as you do so.
But you don’t have to wait until a scheduled activity or class comes up. Ask assisted living neighbors if they’d like to join you in a favorite craft such as quilting or might like to enjoy conversation over adult coloring. Pick a common area spot and spread out to do the work and enjoy time with others.
Games are a great way to socialize and put your mind and body to work. At the Gardens at Barry Road, bingo is often on the calendar, and you may find other game opportunities popping up.
Again, don’t wait until someone else schedules your favorite game to invite others to play. Gather around a dining room table or in one of the other common areas for games of cards and board games with others. And when the weather is nice, consider games such as horseshoes on the grounds.
Exercise and movement is critical to keeping your body working. Your muscles and other body parts are definitely use-it-or-lose it resources. By walking, doing strength exercises and participating in other workouts, you can help ensure you’re able to live independently and vibrantly as long as possible.
This is true even if you’ve lost some mobility already and use a walker or wheelchair. You can always exercise some parts of your body to protect functionality and promote cardiovascular health.
The assisted living community calendar is full of options for exercising with others. Consider participating in hall walking several times a week; on Saturdays you can celebrate a week of exercise accomplishment by walking the halls and then enjoying drinks.
Another exercise option on the calendar is chair fitness, which is a great option for those who struggle with balance or can’t stand for a long time. Join the activity to have fun while getting a great workout in right from your chair.
Certainly, you can also exercise with others outside of a scheduled activity. Make friends with your assisted living neighbors and walk the grounds together while enjoying a good chat. Or, make it a point to walk the long way around together for dining or other activities just to get your step counts up. Exercising with a friend lets you have an accountability partner, and you can encourage each other toward fitness goals.
Of course, some of the best activities you can take part in revolve around fellowship and food. First, in normal circumstances, you can take meals in the dining room with others. Breaking bread with friends and neighbors can be a satisfying way to socialize, and making a point to have just one of your daily meals in this manner helps ensure you have social interaction every day.
Other food-related fun on the assisted living calendar includes coffee club, which meets most Mondays through Saturdays at 9 am, regular movie and popcorn times and cooking classes. Food fun is often scheduled around the season; for example, during some of the warmer months, residents can enjoy ice cream on the patio with each other.
Living in close proximity to others and in a smaller living space might sound like a huge adjustment — because it is. But we love to see residents come to find joy in the community around them as they realize they aren’t alone and there are many activities to enjoy with other people. One of the great things about a planned activity calendar is that it makes it easier to join in when you’re new to the community. Taking the time to try out some of the activities might mean you find some great new friends who can support you and cheer you on during this next chapter of your life.
