Have you ever sat playing board games with friends and forgotten the time? Or maybe you've played a game of cards and looked up at the clock to find it's one in the morning, and you have to go to bed.
One reason games are such enjoyable and social pastimes is that they allow people to get engrossed in them.
That's why game nights are central to our vision for a senior living community with a difference. Read on to discover the many benefits of arranging regular social activities for seniors.
Games are great for problem-solving and brain work, so they are perfect for seniors looking to sharpen their cognitive skills. That's crucial as we age when mental decline can become a risk for so many.
Board games, strategy games, and puzzles all exercise different parts of the brain and keep participants alert and engaged. It gets seniors thinking fast and digging into maths and logic skills.
Games are a great team activity, so they're the ideal way to get seniors to socialize with one another.
For new residents, they also provide an easy and fun way to break the ice. Social interaction is vital for seniors' well-being and can combat feelings of isolation and loneliness that can become a risk for people in the later part of their lives.
Adding fun social activities to the calendar, like a games night, can help residents feel a sense of belonging to the community.
Stress impacts our well-being, and high levels of stews can spill over into affecting our physical health. So, at our senior living community, we are always looking for ways to help residents lower their stress.
One of the benefits of seniors' social activities is that they are relaxing, fun, and casual. Residents can enjoy an upbeat atmosphere and feel a sense of escape from any worries. So, they are a great contributor to leading a healthy lifestyle.
Game nights are a proactive way to support residents' emotional well-being. Getting engrossed in a game is an excellent way to help someone deal with anxious thoughts.
The social and fun aspect is ideal for those at risk of depression. These regular events can connect people and boost social interactions, making seniors feel less alone with their worries or negative thoughts.
Alongside other recreational activities, game nights serve a vital role in protecting the mental health of the community.
Many enjoyable games require excellent coordination and fine motor skills, like Jenga and Bingo. These are not only fun ways to pass the time but also the ideal opportunity for seniors to improve their fine movement.
As we age, our movements slow down, and fine motor control becomes more of a challenge. But regular activities can help improve these skills. Those games can help seniors remain independent and confident in their everyday life.
A game night is a safe and enjoyable activity for those suffering from cognitive decline, such as dementia and Alzheimer's.
These games offer a simple structure and can help reignite old memories. They are also useful ways of improving brain function and concentration.
Mental stimulation is a vital and therapeutic way of supporting those with signs of cognitive impairment, helping them to connect with others and improve their self-esteem.
Not all games involve sitting for hours in a comfortable chair.
Many games require participants to be active and can help seniors naturally maintain their physical fitness without putting too much strain on the body through more intensive exercise.
Charades get people out of their chairs and moving around, and seniors can try gentle sports games like lawn bowling to encourage physical movement. Standing helps maintain balance and strength, which is essential as our bodies age and our muscles start to weaken.
A sense of belonging is vital for anyone who wants to thrive in a community atmosphere, and that's true for senior living environments, too.
Games are one of the most universal and inclusive pastimes. They don't require special skills, knowledge, or demographics, and there is a range of games to suit any taste.
Introverts can try quiet one-to-one games like chess. For extroverts, there is the social enjoyment of games like charades. So there is a place for everyone on any game night.
A little bit of healthy competition between friends is always a great way to create a fun atmosphere.
Card games, board games, or quiz nights encourage team play and camaraderie, which helps generate an upbeat and lively atmosphere. That can motivate quieter residents to get involved and help boost people's self-esteem.
It also adds an element of excitement and novelty to a day.
It's never too late in life to learn new skills, and developing skills and knowledge is fantastic for our brains.
Games nights give senior residents an opportunity to learn game rules and new skills. It offers a sense of accomplishment and a chance to exercise some grey matter.
Some games, like chess, are fantastic for strategic thinking, and there are plenty of rules to learn along the way. Scrabble is great for word recall, discovering new words, and exercising memory.
Games like Monopoly are fantastic for sharpening some math skills.
Retiring into a senior living community doesn't have to mean that all the fun parts of life stop. It can be the point where that fun starts. Social activities for seniors can truly turn a retirement location into a proper community.
Would you like to find out more about what Sierra Hills Senior Living can offer you or your family member? Head here to discover our beautiful community and why we stand out from other retirement homes.