February marks this celebration of senior living and independence.
Did you know that February marks National Senior Independence Month? It’s a key time to celebrate senior independence and share opportunities that embrace a self-sufficient lifestyle. If you’re looking for ways to exert your independence, consider trying some of these fun activities.
- Sign up for a new hobby or class
- Volunteer with other seniors in your community
- Start a book club or other group activity
- Branch out with travel
- Enjoy new technology
Sign up for a new hobby or class
Celebrating independence means exploring and enjoying things that you like to do, apart from the family or community activities you participate in. Maybe it’s painting, hiking, or woodworking; whatever is “your” thing. Consider signing up for a new hobby you’ve been intrigued by or joining a club for an activity or project you’ve wanted to try. Exploring different activities or learning new techniques in a hobby not only helps keep your mind sharp, but it could also introduce you to other like-minded people. Who knows? You may even form new intergenerational friendships.
Volunteer with other seniors in your community
Another great activity to celebrate National Senior Independence Month is to volunteer with other seniors in your community. It’s a fun way to help support your neighborhood and form friendships. Individuals often find fulfillment in helping others and giving back to their community, especially working together with a team of friends.
There are many different opportunities to volunteer; you may be able to organize a food drive within your community, coordinate clean-up efforts in a local park, join a walking event for awareness of your charity of choice, and more!
Start a book club or other activity
Another terrific way to exercise your independence is to engage in healthy brain activities like reading, doing puzzles, or playing an instrument. Consider starting a book club! Creating a time and space to talk and discuss books (and maybe read them together) can be a fun bonding experience and a great way to stay sharp.
If you’re looking for a different activity, there are plenty of creative options. Starting a club with a group of friends is a good way to stay socially connected, no matter the activity. Clubs can be anything from a baking experience, a walking group, or a movie night to discuss films. The possibilities are endless! Look for opportunities to share your individual interests with other seniors, enjoying being independent and social at the same time.
Branch out with travel
Another great activity to maintain your independence as a senior is to travel! We’ve rounded up some great travel tips for seniors here. Consider traveling with a group of other seniors so you have some built-in travel buddies to experience the journey with. You can also travel in a guided tour so you have a leader with experience. As you travel, make sure to engage in activities that you and your doctor agree are appropriate for your overall health.
Enjoy new technology
There are a wide variety of devices and services designed to support your independent lifestyle. Consider voice assistants, such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home’s “Hey Google”, that respond to voice commands to tell you the weather, play music around your home, or even dim/brighten your lights. If you have trouble hearing over the phone, a CapTel captioned telephone can help maintain your independence by allowing you to read everything your caller says, without needing to rely on others. Maybe now’s the time to “follow” people you know on social media. Have some fun with technology!
In honor of National Senior Independence Month, we’ve rounded up these tips and tricks to help you celebrate and maintain your independence. For tips and ideas about independence, travel, and more, visit the CapTel blog.
