“Active” is a term thrown around far too easily in senior living. What does it mean to be active at 78 and arthritic? Or at 85 and wheelchair-bound? With such a far stretch between politically correct and what’s realistic, is it any wonder that activity participation decreases with a person’s increase in age?
When the general public thinks of senior activities, they think of water aerobics and bingo; sure, this happens. But genuine communities that create engaged people do it differently. It doesn’t sound like an enforced, community calendar of activities; it creates an environment where one remains engaged, almost as if they have no homework due.
Table of Contents
What “Active” Really Means at 75 Versus 25
Activity is not a one-size-fits-all engagement. For more active adults, the term “active” may sound like being in the gym five days a week. For those over 75, however, activity could be a daily stroll down the street, a visit to book club, or participation in an organized community garden.
As for why this matters, the physical component is important, and it’s probably the most obvious. Exercising keeps people mobile, decreases fall risk, enhances joint function, and increases balance. Equally important is mental activity; learning new skills, forcing oneself to problem-solve, and facilitating proactive thoughts all rely on a working brain. Finally, the social piece is significant, and to be fair, it usually combines the other two together.
In the best communities, these three pieces intersect all too often. When participating in gardening club, for example, there is a physical act (bending over, lifting items, walking from the garden to the shed), mental engagement (brainstorming plans for the community garden vs. what veggies grow well together), and socialized connection (working with one neighbor or even multiple). This is where senior living activities and social programs are most impactful, as long as they take a three-fold approach instead of just checking the boxes required by hourly engagement.
The Adaptation Dilemma Most Places Get Wrong
Where it gets challenging for senior living communities, however, is that programming needs to allow diverse ability levels without separating everyone within one community. One resident could play tennis twice a week; another could be wheelchair-bound with limited arm movement. How do we program similarly for inclusion?
The easy way out is to separate everyone based on ability. The higher-functioning seniors will engage in one set of activities while the lower-functioning residents have another set altogether. The problem with this, although it’s easier, is that it separates people and makes them feel like they’re categorized by what they cannot do anymore.
Better communities foster flexibility within the programs themselves. A walking group could have an expedited route and a slower-paced route that both meet up at the same destination. An art class could provide projects that work whether someone has a steady hand or not. Culinary demos could provide some to actively cook while others give suggestions or taste test.
This matters more than people would realize; no one wants to be sidelined because their body doesn’t work the way it used to. When activities naturally become adaptable for different levels, it empowers residents to focus more on involvement instead of limitations.
Why Scheduled Activities Aren’t Enough
Most people have seen a scheduled calendar of senior living activities; Monday morning yoga, Tuesday afternoon movie night, Wednesday crafts, the point is clear! The calendar goes up; management checks off their responsibility.
But this passive programming fails to engage seniors. If they continually remember to check the calendars and show up for themselves, many won’t go if they forget or don’t feel like walking down one hallway that day. The same 15 people show up for everything while everyone else remains in their rooms.
The communities that maintain genuine activity offer engagement that’s easier than isolation. They construct environments where action happens naturally; common rooms are located along frequent paths so seniors pass them and want to stay in. Gardens are placed where people can look out a window to go in; seating arrangements are set up for people having spontaneous conversations instead of everyone facing televisions.
There’s still an importance of scheduling but when a low-level constant effort is at stake with no effort required on behalf of the person involved, that’s what makes the greatest difference; someone meandering on their way to lunch might see a puzzle in progress and sit down for ten minutes instead of needing intentional effort all the time; someone sitting outside reading might get pulled into an unexpected conversation from someone tending the garden. These little connection moments add up more than people would realize.
The Mental Engagement Piece That Gets Overlooked
Mostly physical activity comes to mind but cognitive engagement could be even more essential for residents’ continued independence. A brain needs to be challenged just as muscles need exercise.
The problem with this is when seniors take trivialized activities as part of getting older, sure, those with dementia require appropriate programming, but generally speaking, most seniors want access to intellectual engagement! They care about current event technology, or learning new complex skills, dumbing things down feels condescending.
Good communities offer real classes, not just entertainment but courses where serious skills are afforded; technology workshops where seniors learn how to create groups on FaceTime; history discussion groups where panelists delve into topics deeply; art instruction that teaches technique instead of “whatever you feel like doing.”
Good book clubs work when tackling difficult material that promotes real discussion; lecture series which bring outside experts focused on interesting topics, and some communities partner with local colleges for intergenerational programs.
The key here is treating seniors like competent adults who want to continue learning; when challenging materials are available underneath them, they appreciate it and maintain higher acuity levels (and they’re more likely to stay connected and happy with the community).
How Social Structure Prevents Isolation
Isolation should never happen, and we are social beings at any age, and with seniors, feeling lonely creates serious health issues such as depression, cognitive decline or even serious mortality rates; keeping seniors socially active is as beneficial as it is necessary.
This might get complicated where socials are concerned because they can’t be forced (you can’t make two people be friends) but you can put opportunities in place for relationships to organically grow.
Shared interest groups help, gardeners connect with other gardeners, bird watchers meet up, woodworking enthusiasts discover each other, but when people have something else in common (besides being neighbors), real friendships grow.
Smaller groups are better than larger gatherings; you could have a 75-person concert simply because it’s fun but four-person book clubs create real connections (both have value but intimacy is more important for combating isolation).
Some communities create a welcoming committee, or buddy system upon entry, where someone will eat lunch or attend activities with a new resident during their first few weeks, it makes a difference, otherwise sidelined people remain sidelined because they don’t know how to join pre-existing groups.
The Variety Factor
One thing rarely discussed is the idea of boredom through constant repetition; you can love doing something but if you have nothing else offered for four months at a time, it becomes trivialized.
Communities that keep their residents engaged rotate ideas and new topics often enough (almost weekly); perhaps there’s a monthly special, not thematic but different, visiting performers or daytrips, seasonal celebrations or outside speakers, all make a difference for something different instead of predictable (something people will look forward to).
Trying things that feel unexpected work too, not every senior wants “senior-based” activities; some want guitar lessons or yoga classes or wine tastings or poker tournaments, any programming that’s diverse, and its intersections between, are better because then all residents find many things they enjoy.
When residents suggest or run their own activities, a former teacher wants to run a book club or a former chef has tips to share in the kitchen, it gives seniors renewed purpose, and prevents any suggested calendar from feeling dictated from an overhead authority.
What Actually Keeps People Coming Back
Ultimately it boils down to appreciating activities when they feel worthwhile instead of obligatory, that’s what keeps people active when they’re doing something substantial behind their names.
Genuine interest gets cultivated from connecting with others when they’re spending time on something helpful, not because someone told them they had to. They enjoy what they’re doing or realize they’re valued in what they bring to the table (as opposed to busywork).
It’s not necessarily about fanciest facilities or longest lists but rather one paying attention to what genuinely gets positive feedback regularly but evolves quickly enough around something that fosters an environment where engaged living becomes second nature.
This is what’s most impressive appeal about active senior living, not merely moving and doing but participating in a community that champions meaningful existence in far too many helpful ways, and when this truly happens, staying active becomes less of a condition learned and more of an ethos fostered daily.
