Senior Activities

It’s Time To Entertain Yourself

Some seniors never retire: they just change careers. Still others like to take in a game of cards and fellowship at a senior center. Many other active adults look forward to a day spent pursing different interests. Senior activities can involve practically anything really, but have the additional benefit of reinforcing the shared experiences of a certain demographic.

This is the time when you don’t have to cover too many responsibilities, and can move out of an old routine to pick up a new hobby, venture out into your community, or even travel the world, with renewed vigor.

Senior Activities

The Red Hat Society

In 1961, Jenny Joseph wrote a poem, the opening lines of which are:

“When I am an old woman I shall wear purple,

with a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me,

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves and satin sandals,

and say we’ve no money for butter.”

Red Hat Society founder Sue Ellen Cooper believes that women of a certain age can live life with élan, interest, and gusto. What started as a few friends over 50 going out for tea in their red hats in 2000 has swelled to an international “dis-organization”.

Red Hat Society Women do anything that suits their chapter: movie dates, luncheons, book clubs, parades, volunteer work, travel; the only thing that matters is the fun and community spirit of being together.

Find a chapter or start your own.

American Volkssport Association

Medical experts tout the many benefits of the easiest exercise of all: walking. You can turn that into one of your more fun and interactive senior activities by joining a branch of the American Volkssport Association. Many cities have established walking chapters that welcome new members. Walk events are held frequently, and walking club members often branch out into other interests.

LifeLong Learning Programs

Many colleges and universities have lifelong learning programs. Taught by professors, attendees can enjoy programs that cover an extensive list of topics, from computer technology and architecture to cultural views of Iraq and women’s studies. Many of the classes are rich with discussion, guest speakers, and field trips. Some programs are seniors-only, while others allow attendees to audit undergraduate classes.

Here’s an example.

Attendees pay a small fee per program interval, and college credit isn’t offered. Visit the website of a higher learning institution near you to see if they offer a senior learning program.

Food and Wine Functions

At Local Wine Events and Food Reference, you can find local wine enthusiasts and stay up-to-date on festivals, new release tastings, and connoisseur functions. Pursuing this interest lends itself to a wide range of travel opportunities as well.

Professional Musician

If you sing or play an instrument, you can perform at a variety of nursing homes, retirement communities, day care centers, even provide lessons for children. If you didn’t have the time to expand your musical skills before, or were too busy raising a family, spending more time with your music may be one of the most rewarding senior activities you can do.

S.C.O.R.E.

Put your long-acquired business acumen to good use as a mentor in the Service Corps of Retired Executives. S.C.O.R.E. is a powerful tool for small businesspeople and entrepreneurs. If you’re considering starting a new business of your own in retirement, you can benefit from this service as well.

National Senior Games

For the virile, competitive athlete in all of us. The National Senior Games oversees the Senior Olympics. Almost every type of sport is represented, and seniors compete on a state level to try for the national championship. The National Senior Olympics Organization started in 1985, and at the first Senior Olympics event, held in St. Louis two years later, 2,500 seniors competed for the gold. At the 2007 Louisville event, the organization expects 12,000 athletes.

Check the directory for your state’s games to learn how to compete or volunteer.

Docent

Become a part of your favorite museum, historical site, or tourist attraction as a docent. Most docents are volunteers, but some that help with special events may receive pay. As a docent, you can share your knowledge and verve for a particular topic, interact with the public in a fun way, and take an interest to a higher level.

Professional Organizations

Just because you've left a company or industry as a worker doesn’t mean your input is invalid. Many industry-specific organizations rely on the experience of seniors to educate the workforce and share expertise. Let’s face it: it’s a boost to anyone’s self-esteem to still be held in high regard among your peers.

Volunteer Opportunities

What’s your passion? Caring for pets? Helping children? National preservation? There are thousands of charities and civic organizations crying out for helping hands, valued experience, and those with the time to make changes happen. Put your passion to work as a senior activity and affect change in your community.

Other volunteer opportunities abound at hospitals, care centers, service organizations, and civic clubs.

Tell Us What You Do

In this article, we’ve barely scratched the surface of senior activities. What would really help is if you tell us what you do:

• What hobbies you’re involved in
• How you started a group or organization
• Other suggestions you have

For that’s the fundamental benefit of any activity: to be a vital part of a like-minded community.

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