How To Encourage Seniors to Stay Engaged With Hobbies in Lincoln

Hobbies are important for everyone to have, but keeping up with them is even more essential for seniors. They have many benefits, including improving their overall well-being, decreasing stress, and providing mental stimulation.

Being active with hobbies also reduces their risk of being isolated while they get to connect socially with others.

Our goal at Visiting Angels in Lincoln is to help improve seniors' daily lives by providing them with plenty of fulfilling activities to do.

Common Challenges Seniors Face in Staying Engaged

Lack of Motivation or Interest in New Activities

If your loved one is hesitant to participate in a hobby, it may be that it's been awhile since they did an activity they loved. You can try to remind them of what they did in the past, such as attending Bingo nights or knitting, and help them reexplore it.

They also might be scared to try a new hobby, but our companion care service can help them break past that fear.

Our caregivers will drive them to the local senior center and actively participate in a new hobby with them to give them more joy in life.

Physical or Cognitive Limitations

Our team is here to help with any memory-related challenges they may have and gently remind them. For example, we can play familiar music, help them sort through items to find what they're looking for, or go through old photo albums to help them remember loved ones’ names and faces.

We're also happy to help with physical challenges and can adapt their activities as needed.

If they like yoga, we can do chair yoga together, or our caregivers can download audiobooks for them if reading has become a challenge.

Limited Social Opportunities in Lincoln

Having seniors participate in group activities is another way to stimulate them mentally and encourage socialization. There are several senior community centers in Lincoln with Aging Partners programs that are great places to join social events or attend exercise classes, such as Tai Chi.

Best Hobbies and Activities for Seniors in Lincoln

If you’re struggling to think of some hobbies your senior might enjoy, here are some that we recommend:

• Creative hobbies: Painting, knitting, and writing for self-expression are easy ones they can do at home.
• Physical activities: Walking, yoga, or gardening for better mobility all help keep them physically active.
• Social hobbies: Book clubs, senior centers, and group outings are good to do on a regular basis to stimulate them mentally.
• Tech-based activities: Learning new skills through online courses or games is another simple but fun way to engage seniors.

How Families and Caregivers Can Help Seniors Stay Engaged

Some seniors might need extra encouragement to get back into hobbies, and you can help them by brainstorming together what their past interests were.

When possible, try to join them in their new activities to make it even more enjoyable. You can also utilize the various Lincoln senior programs if you're looking for a more structured opportunity.

Find Support for Seniors in Lincoln Today

If your loved one needs assistance staying engaged in meaningful hobbies, Visiting Angels can help. Call 402-735-0999orcontact us today to learn more about our personalized senior care services in Lincoln.