Hobbies for Seniors

by Liam O'Dowd

When you become older, it is sometimes hard to think of places you can go where you haven't been before, or somewhere that isn't too far away from your home. Often elderly people are by themselves making it really hard for them to socialise with other people, especially if they are less mobile than your average person. Becoming older doesn't mean that you have to stay in all the time, there are plenty of activities available that mean you don’t have to travel far from your home. Whether it is exercise or companionship you are looking for, we will cover various ways in which you can achieve this.

Keeping fit

If you live near a gym, there are various classes that take place where you can exercise and socialise at the same time. Gyms often have dedicated classes during the day for elderly people looking to improve mobility that involve light exercise, instantly improving your fitness. When people think of exercise they think of high intensity workouts, this doesn’t have to be the case. By keeping your body moving you are able to keep your blood flowing, resulting in a healthier body all round. Not only is going to the gym good for exercise but it is also good for meeting new people. Often OAP’s who attend fitness classes will also keep in touch with their fellow classmates outside of the gym.  This is great for older people, as socialising is a key factor in keeping healthy.

Having a pet

Having a pet can be crucial when you are older, especially if you live by yourself.  A pet can easily act as a companion, as it someone that will always be around you and can sit with you during the night-time. For older people cats are usually the best pets to have, as they don’t need walking, unlike dogs. As long as you can make sure they are fed regularly, a cat can be the perfect company for those lonely nights.

Trips

If you have a passion for travelling, taking a trip on a train or coach can be the perfect answer as you not only get to meet people but also get to see various tourist attractions across the country. There are various organised trips that happen across the country on a weekly basis. You are able to book in advance, get picked up from a specific location and dropped back off there in the evening. These trips are great for people who want to get out of the house and explore but don’t necessarily have people to do it with.

Cooking

Cooking can be a great way to spend your time as you can make it sociable and you get a treat at the end of it! Whether you are cooking by yourself, with a friend, or maybe even for your grandchildren, there is never an excuse not to cook. From cakes to stews, cooking can be enjoyable and trying something different is always fun. There are many recipes online that are easy to follow and don’t involve to many ingredients. If you or your elder doesn’t have access to the Internet, there are plenty of books at the library containing simple and fun recipes.

Family Tree

If you find that you have a lot of spare time on your hands and you want to learn about new people and places, researching your family tree can be the perfect answer. You can do this online or at your local library, and with a bit of time you will be able to find out your family history. This is not only interesting for the person researching, but it is something that your whole family can get involved with.

Becoming older doesn’t mean that you have to stop doing certain activities. Whether you live at home by yourself, with your partner or even in a care home, there are plenty of activities to keep yourself occupied with. From fitness to animals, there is something for everybody.