7 Indoor Activities for Seniors at Home

As our loved ones age, it can become more difficult for them to get out and about. This can be frustrating for both you and your loved one, especially if they were always active or athletic. If you’re not careful, sitting inside all day can lead to boredom and depression. 

Even if they can no longer leave the house, there are many things for seniors to do at home to help keep both their minds and bodies active. Indoor activities for the elderly are so important for mental and physical health. Staying active has many benefits, including lowering stress levels, improved sleep, and reducing the risk of cognitive decline. 

Some of our favorite indoor activities for elderly people include:

Books and Movies. Reading is an excellent way to stimulate the mind and escape the living room when you can’t get out. Large print books are available at libraries, and electronic devices like Kindles and Nooks have ways to enlarge fonts to make them easier to read. Listening to audiobooks or podcasts can be a great choice for those with poor eyesight or those who simply don’t like reading. There are so many movies and TV shows available online as well that your loved ones will enjoy. 

Games. Card games and board games are a great way for your loved one to enjoy some mental stimulation while socializing. Games are also a great option when spending time with your loved one – you don’t have to think about things to talk about if you’re in the middle of a heated game of Go Fish! 

Puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles are a great indoor activity for seniors. There are online services that can turn beloved photos into puzzles, so your loved one can reminisce while they put the puzzle together. Other types of puzzles – like word searches, Sudoku, and crosswords, among many others, can be done solo while keeping the brain sharp. 

Arts and Crafts. There are so many arts and crafts seniors can enjoy, like knitting, drawing, painting, and coloring. Coloring is particularly relaxing, and creating something will give your loved one a sense of accomplishment and tangible demonstration of success. 

Cooking. If it is safe for your loved one to do so, cooking is a great activity for seniors at home. They can try new recipes, or cook for their family and friends. Cooking also helps foster a sense of independence which is very important for your loved ones as they age. 

Exercising. Even if your loved ones are not very active, there are still many safe and effective exercises they can do at home. Yoga and tai chi are great activities for the elderly at home to keep them moving. Exercising can help increase balance and mobility and prevent injuries, so adding some exercise to the weekly routine can be very helpful. Many exercises can be done seated in a chair to make them safe and simple for your loved ones to perform. 

Online activities. There are many online activities your loved one may enjoy. Museums, aquariums, and other historic sites tend to have virtual tours that can be enjoyed from the comfort of home. There are also tons of senior-friendly games that can be played online. If your loved one is spending time online, just make sure you review some internet safety tips, since unfortunately there are many people on the internet who would be happy to take advantage of seniors. 

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Being unable to leave the house doesn’t mean life becomes less interesting or fulfilling. You may need to be a bit creative, but you can certainly find things to help your loved ones stay physically and mentally stimulated and stave off the dreaded boredom. 

To learn more about our home care services, contact our caregiving team today at 1-800-GRISWOLD or find a Caregiver near you.