Games and Activities for Senior Citizens

The Benefits of Staying Active

Approximately every eight seconds, another baby boomer earns the title of senior citizen. It's estimated that roughly 4,000,000 Americans will turn 50 in 2008. Baby Boomers entering their senior years in record numbers, combined with the increase in life expectancy, has led to more seniors being aware of the importance of staying active both physically and mentally.

Regardless of age or ability there are many activities and games, both indoor and outdoor, that keep seniors stimulated, enrich their life and make them feel vital and alive. From seniors living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to those living with families or alone, keeping active and involved is an important aspect of living a longer, healthier life.

Outdoor Games and Activities for Senior Citizens

Many seniors love being outside in nice weather and opportunities for outdoor activities are plentiful. From quietly sitting with friends playing cards or enjoying a game of chess or checkers to an active game of shuffleboard or bocce ball, breathing the outdoor air and feeling the sun on your skin are added benefits to the activity.

There are many outdoor games that seniors enjoy playing and many of those are easily adapted for players that have difficulty walking or standing such as beanbag toss or lawn darts. The following are outdoor games that can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of their age.

• Bocce ball
• Croquet
• Lawn Jarts, which are Nerf darts
• Beanbag toss
• Horseshoes
• Badminton

More Outdoor Activities and Games

Other outdoor activities and games that are enjoyed by many seniors include:

• Shuffleboard
• Lawn tennis
• Miniature golf
• Golf
• Tennis
• Container gardening
• Community gardening
• Bird watching
• Swimming
• Aqua aerobics
• Bicycle riding
• Fishing

Indoor Activities Seniors Enjoy

For those seniors that do not enjoy outdoor activities, or when the weather outside turns cold, there are a number of indoor activities and games for seniors to enjoy. Aside from the traditional card and board games, bingo or Mahjong, today’s seniors are tending to want more active indoor activities. They are taking up hobbies, joining classes and volunteering their time at record numbers.

Many community senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities and nursing homes are adding game equipment that includes active indoor games such as:

• Indoor or table shuffleboard
• Pool tables
• Table tennis or Ping-Pong tables

Senior Citizens, Game Systems and Computers

The senior set has embraced the Nintendo Wii game system as a form of enjoyment, exercise and companionship. Virtual bowling tournaments are being held in living rooms, senior centers and nursing homes throughout the country as the love for virtual sports spreads like wildfire. Seniors are able to enjoy other virtual sports games such as baseball, golf and tennis, but bowling is the number one choice. For many the real-life feeling of bowling that is experienced as they play the game, is a feeling that they thought they would never be able to have again.

Seniors are also playing computer and video games that involve role-playing, memory and reasoning skills. These games help to keep their minds active in their reflexes quick.

More Indoor Games and Activities for Seniors

Other and/or activities that many seniors enjoy include:

• Nostalgic board games
• Arts and crafts
• Scrapbooking
• Flower arranging
• Sewing
• Armchair travel
• Digital photography
• Dancing
• Learning to use a computer and the Internet

Conclusion

Games and activities for senior citizens are excellent ways to keep the mind stimulated and the muscles moving, helping to slow the process of aging. Active seniors generally lead a more enjoyable, fuller life while staying connected to family, friends and their community.