Winter’s arrival shouldn’t be a dull sentence for seniors living alone at home. It doesn’t matter if you’re stuck in a slump with your beloved one or simply seeking an exciting new activity for the family to enjoy you can find a variety of different ways to get older adults up and out of the house when the temperature dips. Here’s a list of nine fun and affordable places for seniors to enjoy this season. That’s only the beginning of it in terms of enriching the lives of aging loved ones — whether it’s winter, spring or summer.
Explore Your Town
It’s a common joke of New Yorkers from the city: Many of them rarely — – if ever visit important tourist attractions, for example, The Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. But this phenomenon isn’t limited just to the Big Apple. Indeed, both townies and city-dwellers alike admit to not seeing the sights in their backyards. So why not make time this winter to enjoy a game of tourists with your aging loved one?
It doesn’t matter if you live in a large city such as New York to find plenty of fun and affordable places for seniors. Check out your local paper and browse through the Calendar section to find a complete list of events and attractions that will make you consider your place of residence in a different light.
Browse at a Bookstore
Amazon has certainly changed the way we buy the books we read, but it’s no alternative to the traditional old-fashioned store experience. Visit your local bookstore to peruse the shelves, look over the magazine stands, visit an author’s reading even — just one of many ways you can make senior visits more meaningful.
Visit a Museum
Museums aren’t just great places to visit in the event of bad weather, they also offer wonderful learning opportunities for older adults. While some museums are free, however, some offer specials for seniors — with everything from admission-free days to a massive discount on entry fees. Do your homework in advance in order to know where to go and when. (Don’t get a senior discount? Ask. Not every organization advertises discounts for seniors.)
Be sure to keep your elderly loved ones’ preferences when choosing the place to go. For example, a long-time basketball fan will be looking forward to a visit to the Basketball Hall of Fame, and an enthusiast for Impressionism will likely prefer visiting the art gallery.
If your elderly loved one is a Bank of America cardholder, they can also participate in their innovative Museums on Us program, which offers free general admissions to over 150 museums participating on the first weekend of each month. You can even join to receive text messages that remind you regarding weekends that are eligible!
Head to the Local Bingo Parlor
Who doesn’t want to experience the thrill of yelling “Bingo”? A lot of churches, senior centers, and community centers host bingo nights for seniors. The best Bing night is at the luxury retirement living in Orange County. Do you want to know where to locate an area where you can find a bingo hall? Make a call to your regional Chamber of Commerce or use this Bingo Locator which has a database of over a thousand bingo halls throughout the US as well as Canada.
However, not all enjoyable and affordable activities for seniors require you to leave home. You could consider hosting a bingo night for friends and your family. It’s also a great opportunity to encourage multigenerational fun for both children as well as the old appreciate playing with each other. It’s also a reliable solution to end boredom for seniors and make the most of the time you spend together as a family.
Take a Step Back in Time
Many older people have fond memories of meals from their youth. While they might not be as prevalent as they used to be it is possible to find a classic diner, drive-in, or diner for lunch, with a touch of nostalgia.
Or, take a completely different method of inviting your senior loved one to get in on the latest trends by taking part in an afternoon meal at a food truck that is well-known.
Celebrate Summer in the Winter
Cold winter days make many of us pine for the sensational feel of summer. Caregivers can give seniors an opportunity to experience the warmth to come by planning a day in celebration of this long anticipating season. You can take a trip to the beach or go to the local ice cream shop together, your aging loved one is sure to enjoy the wonder of an unplanned “moment in the sun.”
Go Antiques Shopping
Browsing through an antique shop is a bit like going on a treasure hunt. The chances are that you’ll discover something truly amazing. If your elderly relative is a collector of something like Depression glass or Fiestaware and you both love searching for the perfect piece to add to his/her collection. If not space to wander around and an open-minded mind, who knows what fascinating things you’ll find? Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to reminisce and share memories too!