If you have senior loved ones residing in retirement homes or assisted living, routine visits are crucial to connect with them and convey your love. Hanging out with them helps lighten up their day, and letting them know about your next visit gives them something entertaining to look forward to.

Some relatives feel awkward whenever they visit their older adults in assisted living because they don’t know what to do during their visiting days. Thankfully, we’ll tackle some enjoyable activities you can do with your loved ones to make your get-together worth the moment.

What to Do in Retirement Facilities

Bringing activities for your loved ones to enjoy and having some amazing concepts in mind can make your visit entertaining. We have gathered five safe, senior-friendly, and interesting activities for a successful visit you and your senior loved one will never forget.

1. Furry pets

Cats or dogs are good sources of comfort and reliable companions for those in assisted living. Furry buddies can aid with loneliness and provide elders something to look after. Petting canines or felines is a reassuring and therapeutic activity, especially for seniors. Bringing pets along when visiting your loved ones is a wonderful idea to help keep them delighted.

If they are pet lovers, they will appreciate it and be happy to spend time playing and engaging with a beloved family pet. Additionally, research shows that spending quality time with pets can help lower blood pressure, stress levels, cholesterol, and heart rate and prevent depression, stroke, and heart conditions. However, it’s important to inquire with the staff of residences for retirees before bringing along a dog or cat to ensure furry pets are allowed.

2. Reminisce over old pictures

Checking out old videos or photos with your loved ones is a good way to boost your bond and hang around together. Moreover, photos are good conversation starters; you don’t know what your older adult would love to share about stories or memories they remember. Another method to keep your loved one occupied inside a nursing home is doing small tasks like family history or family tree to keep their mental condition engaged and active. 

3. Eating together

Eating is always nicer when you are with another person. You may take your senior loved one outside or eat together in the retirement home, but sharing meals together with them is a very good activity to do when visiting them. You may set up an indoor or outdoor picnic inside the local senior living communities or cook dinner. In addition, you might cook their favorite meal or prepare something each of you used to enjoy previously.

4. Gardening activities

Gardening activities are a social activity that captivates most elders and allows them to form great connections with their fellows. Planting numerous kinds of seeds, digging in the dirt, or cultivating plants or gorgeous flowers helps keep them immersed and relaxed as this also gives them a tranquil experience with nature. Golden agers in active senior living Thousand Oaks will enjoy planting and pulling weeds and keeping their mobility healthy.

5. Cards and board games

Board games are a fun and interesting activity for seniors. It is an incredible way to communicate with their fellows, laugh, and have a great time. Moreover, board games also come with many health benefits for elders. These can help improve their skill and mental function, lower blood pressure and stress, and prevent mental diseases. In addition, board games can improve the seniors’ lifestyle as they will likely enjoy these activities.