Outdoor Hobbies for Seniors

Hobbies are a very valuable part of just about every person’s life. We all have certain activities and projects that bring us peace, joy, satisfaction, release, and other positive emotions and results. However, the elderly often lose touch with some of their favorite hobbies as they age, move to new places, and have to deal with other aspects of being a senior. This does not always have to happen, though! Everyone, no matter how old they may be, deserves to be able to participate in hobbies that bring them happiness. In this article, we will be discussing some wonderful outdoor hobbies for any senior living in Centennial; so keep reading to find out more about what could be your new favorite hobby! 

Bird Watching

Bird watching is a very rewarding hobby that almost everyone can do. Even if you live in a place without a lot of birds, there is certainly some kind of wildlife around that you could practice observing, documenting, and even drawing. There are no rules when it comes to the kind of nature around you that you are allowed to learn about. Just always be careful to keep yourself separate from the nature you are studying. Avoid feeding wildlife, or interfering with native plant life. There is still plenty you can learn without becoming invasive. It can also be a great way to keep track of any endangered species in your area, so you could even become a tool for conservation by documenting your sightings, and sending your photos and notes to the proper officials. 

Gardening

Gardening is another fantastic hobby that often gets less credit than it really should. You do not just have to plant an herb garden. You can try planting endangered native plants, fruits and vegetables, or even succulents and cacti! Having a garden can be so much more than what “everybody else” has in their gardens. You can even purchase special kits online that will allow you to grow mushrooms like reishi, lion’s mane, oyster, shiitake, portobello, and many more delicious, edible, safe mushrooms. If gardening sounds like a hobby for you, make sure to do some research about the kind of gardening that interests you most.

Photography

Photography also has many different possibilities that you can run with to make it a more unique experience for yourself. You can photograph anything from local wildlife, portraits of people, candid photo shoots, closeups of everyday items, foods, landscapes, skylines, hands, and anything in between that you can think of! All you need is a camera, and a relative idea of what you want to photograph, and you can become a hobby photographer in no time! Even if all you have is a disposable camera, you can still get creative with your shots, and use whatever limitations you may have as tools instead of obstacles. 

Our mission statement of “to honor, to value, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living Centennial has to offer. We have built a foundation on honoring God, valuing our seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve. Set in a warm, loving atmosphere with beautiful surroundings and resort-style amenities, MorningStar at Holly Park provides outstanding independent living in Centennial.

4 Low-Impact Exercises for Seniors

Getting regular exercise and leading an active lifestyle is essential for maintaining your overall health. Seniors who lead an active lifestyle can decrease their risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health concerns. 

But as you get older, it can feel challenging to stay active, as high-impact activities like running and aerobics can put too much pressure on the joints.

However, for exercise to be effective, it doesn’t have to be strenuous or intense. With low-impact exercises, you can reap the benefits of an active lifestyle while also protecting your joints. 

Try these four low-impact exercises that are ideal for adults in senior living:

1. Swimming

Swimming is one of the top low-impact exercises for older adults. Swimming puts less pressure on your joints, bones, and muscles, allowing you to get the physical activity you need without the discomfort afterward. 

You don’t need to be a speed or endurance swimmer to see the benefits of this exercise. Just a few slow laps around the pool are enough to improve your heart health, lower cholesterol, and even enhance your mood.

2. Yoga

Another low-impact exercise that you can easily do in senior living is yoga. Yoga puts little to no pressure on the joints and allows you to move at a slower pace than other exercises. This reduces the risk of injury or discomfort after you’re done exercising. 

Yoga also provides mental benefits, including elevated mood, increased clarity, and stress reduction.

3. Walking

When it comes to exercise and staying healthy, sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. Taking a leisurely walk is a great low-impact exercise that can help you stay in shape without putting too much pressure on your joints. 

To keep your walk comfortable, opt for a pair of highly cushioned support sneakers. You should also avoid walking at too fast of a pace, as this can increase the pressure on your knees.

4. Cycling

If walking doesn’t sound like an appealing or exciting activity, you may be more interested in cycling as a low-impact exercise. There are two ways that you can use cycling to get in better shape and stay active.

You can ride a traditional bicycle around your senior living community, or you can use a stationary bike in your community’s gym. Both options yield the same benefits for your health and well-being without asking too much of your joints.

Staying Active as an Older Adult

Are you looking for ways to stay active that don’t create too much impact on vulnerable joints? As you get older, your joints can become more susceptible to damage, leading to chronic pain and stiffness that can make staying active more difficult. 

Fortunately, there are ways to lead an active lifestyle without increasing your joint pain. Low-impact exercises can be a great choice for people of any age who prefer activities that are more gentle on the body. 

From a calming morning yoga session to a bicycle ride around the neighborhood, low-impact exercises can keep you healthy and strong — without sacrificing your joints. 

4 Ways Swimming Can Be Beneficial for Older Adults

Exercising and staying active is an important part of maintaining your physical and mental health as you age. At the same time, exercising is often easier said than done as you get older. Limited mobility and ongoing health issues can make it very difficult to do most exercises, and your options can become very limited. 

Swimming is one of the best options for seniors who want to stay active. Swimming is a low-impact activity that can improve your health and elevate your mood. Learn more about the benefits of swimming for older adults here:

1. Improved Cardiovascular Health

A major benefit of swimming is its impact on your heart health. Many people are under the assumption that high-impact, strenuous exercise is the best way to improve your heart health, but this isn’t the case. Even slower-paced, low-impact exercises can get your heart pumping faster. This leads to increased heart strength and better heart function overall.

2. Lower Cholesterol

One of the other significant benefits of swimming is lower cholesterol. Many seniors struggle with high cholesterol due to genetics, poor eating habits, and sedentary lifestyles. High cholesterol puts adults in senior living at an increased risk of heart attack, blood clots, and stroke. Fortunately, exercises like swimming can help lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of these serious health concerns.

3. Socialization

Another benefit of swimming that may not occur to some people is the socialization aspect. Going to a shared pool gives older adults an opportunity to socialize with their peers. This is a very important benefit, as many residents of senior living facilities struggle with feelings of loneliness and isolation. Swimming in a public pool or other shared space allows them to communicate with others over a common interest or activity.

4. Strengthens Bones

A serious problem that comes with aging is the weakening of your bones, leading to an increased risk of bone breakage. Swimming can be a great way to strengthen your bones over time and decrease your odds of having an injury. To maximize the bone-strengthening benefits of swimming, you should follow a diet that is high in calcium and vitamin D.

Exercises for Adults in Senior Living

Getting older can make exercising harder, but it shouldn’t make it impossible. There are several different exercises that seniors can do to stay in shape and remain healthy, including swimming. 

Swimming is one of the best ways to get exercise, and it provides a variety of different benefits. From better heart health to increased flexibility, taking a few laps around the pool is a great way for seniors to lead an active lifestyle well into their golden years.

Managing Insomnia in Older Adults: Practical Tips and Strategies

Insomnia is a common condition that affects millions of people around the world. While it’s a nuisance at any age, it can be especially stressful for older adults who need quality sleep to remain healthy.

When a senior struggles with insomnia, it can put excess strain on their heart and exacerbate cognitive concerns. Learn some practical tips and strategies for managing insomnia in older adults.

Set a Schedule

One simple way to improve your loved one’s sleeping habits is by creating a sleeping schedule for them.

Over time, adhering to a schedule can make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. A sleep schedule for a senior living on their own or with minimal assistance may call for them to turn in at 9 p.m. every night and wake up at 7 a.m. every morning.

When someone sticks to a sleep schedule, it can gradually train their body to follow a more regular pattern of rest. If needed, you can always amend the schedule to be more flexible for seniors with unique needs or preferences.

Create a Comfortable Environment

A common factor behind many cases of insomnia is discomfort. Whether it be physical or mental discomfort, many older adults struggle with the ability to get comfortable at bedtime.

To help resolve this issue, try to create a more comfortable environment for your senior loved one. Choose soft, breathable bedding that won’t cause them to overheat. Being too hot can significantly hinder sleep quality, so it’s important to stay cool throughout the night.

If the older adult in your life can’t sleep because of emotional discomfort, they might need a little soothing in the form of solutions like white noise machines or aromatherapy. Light background noise and lavender essential oil can produce a calming effect that induces sleepiness in a senior living with insomnia.

Develop a Sleep-Friendly Diet

Sometimes, dietary habits are the culprit behind sleep troubles. Having caffeine too late in the day or consuming too much sugar can lead to insomnia for many. Having your senior loved one adhere to a sleep-friendly diet can help.

Start by identifying the dietary factors that lead to their trouble sleeping, and limit or completely eliminate these items. Avoiding these foods can help your senior loved one fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night.

Addressing Insomnia in Senior Living

Do you know an older adult who’s struggling with insomnia? Tossing and turning during the night can burden anyone, but it can have serious effects on seniors. Lack of quality sleep can contribute to everything from heart disease to increased cancer risk.

To help the senior in your life get a better night’s sleep, try implementing strategies like setting a sleep schedule or following a sleep-friendly diet. You might be surprised what a difference it makes to your loved one’s overall well-being.

4 Things to Look Out for While Touring Senior Living Communities

Senior living communities are full of helpful amenities and supportive people that help you thrive in your later years. But when you’re touring prospective communities, you must know what to look for so that you choose the right one. 
Here are some things to keep an eye out for as you go on tours. 

1. Fitness Options
Physical fitness is one of the most important aspects of graceful aging — when it comes to protecting your health long-term, exercise is extremely valuable. 

So check out the different health and wellness options that each community offers. Most places have indoor fitness equipment and swimming pools, and many offer group fitness classes, which are a wonderful addition to any senior living community. These sessions allow you to socialize with other residents while moving your body in ways that feel good to you.
If benefits like these aren’t offered, it may not be a good fit for you. Staying active and fit — even if you just take a walk each day — is incredibly important for your physical and mental health. 

2. Cleanliness and Maintenance

As you tour the buildings in a prospective senior living community, pay attention to how clean and orderly things are. A community that doesn’t have good maintenance and cleaning services can be hazardous to your health. Beyond that, it simply isn’t enjoyable to live in dirty conditions. 
If you have any questions about the frequency and availability of maintenance, don’t be afraid to ask your tour guide. If something breaks and needs to be repaired, you will have to rely on their maintenance team. 

3. Staff Attitudes 
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When you go on a tour, do you notice an overwhelmingly negative atmosphere? Do the staff members look displeased or hostile? These are common red flags that you must keep an eye out for. To be clear, staff members are human and shouldn’t be expected to always maintain perfect attitudes. However, a positive atmosphere is essential for your mental health. 

You can also determine the general mood of the staff by the way your tour guide interacts with you. Are they receptive to questions? Do they act annoyed, or do they seem happy to give you their time? Don't hesitate to cut the tour short if you have a gut feeling that the staff isn’t very pleasant. You will save your time (and theirs), and you can then move on to visit a better community. 

4. Dining Options

The value of high-quality, healthy, delicious dining options cannot be overstated. Therefore, make sure you ask about the community’s dining options. 
Do they operate based on meal plans? Are there cafeteria-style buffets where you can choose your favorite foods each day? These are important questions to ask when you tour a senior living community. 

Find the Best Senior Living Community for You 

If you hold each community to high standards, you will eventually find the best community for you. Follow these tips to find the perfect senior living facility!