Recreation an important part of senior wellness

Lack of interaction can cause loneliness, decline of cognitive stamina

Unfortunately, when most people think about our aging population, recreational activities might be a secondary thought. The stereotype of poor mobility and inability to take on physical activities is too widely assumed about our older generations. But alongside visits from family and consultations with health-care staff, physical activities must be part of the elderly’s weekly schedule.

Just like anybody, seniors rely on activities to improve their physical, cognitive and emotional health as well as their overall wellbeing and quality of life. If you don’t use it, you lose it, as the saying goes.

Inactivity among seniors, and people of all ages, can lead to or increase the occurrence of physical ailments and be detrimental to mental health. A lack of interaction with others, as the world experienced during the COVID-19 shutdown, can also cause feelings of loneliness, isolation and be detrimental to mental and cognitive stamina.

Recreation, in turn, is a therapeutic activity. It not only builds relationships, but the benefits to overall mental and physical health is critical to the overall health and happiness of our older generation. Recreation improves emotional and cognitive well-being.

Both individual and group activities are proven to improve seniors’ emotions and cognitive abilities. Any opportunity to express themselves and what they feel is beneficial and crucial.

Just like the continuing craze of games like Wordle or Sudoku, cognitive-forward activities like word puzzles or card games keep organizational and problem-solving skills sharp and can improve mental alertness. This can help with leading a fulfilling social life. Most of us thrive in good company and grow if invested in healthy relationships. Our older generations are no different.

If invested in a group activity, especially if it’s regularly scheduled and something to look forward to, negative feelings of seclusion, anxiety and isolation are eased, while mental and physical health is improved. Group activities such as Bingo, chess and other board games can encourage seniors to connect with others and foster meaningful relationships, which strengthens and improves physical health.

Getting moving and keeping active is vital for physical stamina and mental health at any age. Recreational activities rooted in gentle exercise can help improve the mobility, balance, flexibility and agility of the elderly. Physical activity has also been proven to prevent or lessen the symptoms of disease and reduce the risk of falls and other injuries. Something as simple as a daily walk, stretching or appropriate chair exercises are a great start and introduction to physical activities. Of course, nothing stops anyone from taking up anything from gardening to dance classes.

As our bodies age, we all must work harder to not only gain muscle to keep us healthy but maintain that strength which helps with co-ordination and balance. However, whether you’re 28 or 82, motivation plays an important role in encouraging anyone to develop and maintain a healthy activity schedule. But once that first step is taken, it’s exciting to see how quickly any recreational activity can become a healthy habit.