Keeping mentally and physically active is a core tenet of senior health and well-being, essential for independently aging in place. Having a list of recreational activities for the elderly—both indoors and outdoors—is an excellent way to inspire seniors to keep moving, regardless of the weather or potential pandemic shutdowns.
10 Recreational Activities for Seniors, Caregivers, & Family
Here are ten recreational activities you can enjoy with your loved one here in the Inland Empire. If you live far away, and your parent or grandparent lives alone, a home care agency can work with you to find the perfect senior companion who can get your loved one out and about if lack of motivation, driving issues, or loss of mobility poses a problem.
Outdoor Recreational Activities for the Elderly
We’re fortunate to enjoy incredible weather almost all year here in the Inland Empire. If the weather is agreeable or you don’t mind bundling up on a chilly day, we recommend taking advantage of these five outings:
1. California Citrus State Historic Park
If your loved one is native to the Inland Empire, s/he’ll remember a time when the bulk of this area was covered with citrus groves, and the smell of sweet citrus blossoms permeated the air during the spring months.
Citrus groves are quickly disappearing, making way for housing and shopping developments. However, the California Citrus State Historic Park in Riverside has row upon row of deliciously fragrant citrus trees – as well as ample hiking trails and a museum dedicated to the history of citrus farming in California.
While the park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the visitor center is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call ahead at (951) 780-6222 to schedule a tour. We recommend packing a picnic and enjoying it together at one of their many picnic table sites.
Read More: 7 Top Activities for the Blind Elderly in California
2. Take a Day Trip to Big Bear Mountain
Without Big Bear Mountain, many living in southern California would never have seen or experienced snow. Odds are your loved one has memories of visiting Big Bear as a child or parent, which makes a day trip up the mountain that much more fun. Visit BigBear.com for a list of things to do while you’re there.
Examples include:
- Renting a cabin for the weekend
- Picnicking by the lake
- Taking a walk/hike on an accessible trail
- Enjoying the seasonal foliage and colors
- Taking a Lake Tour on the Big Bear Pirate Ship
Just the simple act of taking a day’s drive and enjoying a change of scenery boosts the spirits.
3. Visit Amy’s Farm (and don’t forget the grandkids!)
Looking for an outing in Ontario that suits family members of all ages? Take time to visit Amy’s Farm. Call ahead or visit Amy’s Farm online to schedule a tour as that’s the best way to ensure you experience all of the highlights, including milking cows, petting various farm animals, learning the importance of polyculture farm practices, and buying fresh organic produce for their farm stand. Then, bring those veggies home and cook a delicious, nutritious meal to enjoy together.
4. California Botanic Garden
Referred to as a “living museum”, California Botanic Garden in Claremont is the largest botanical garden teeming with over 22,000 California native plants. The gardens are open daily, except for Monday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Once you pay your way in, you’ll receive a map to enjoy a self-guided walking tour. Don’t forget to visit their gift shop and retail nursery before you leave.
5. Visit One of Many Local Museums
Visiting a museum is a great way to get some exercise, boost your brain as you learn, connect, and engage with docents and fellow visitors. There are far more museums than we could ever list here. They span the gamut from art and history museums to museums that celebrate the military, various transportation modes, and local plants and animals.
Visit inlandempire.com’s List of Museums in the Inland Empire and start making a list in order of importance.
Explore: Top Vacations for Handicapped Seniors
Indoor Recreational Activities for the Elderly
If the weather isn’t cooperating, or you’d rather spend a day being active indoors, we’ve got you covered.
1. Head to the Janet Goeske (or your local senior) Center
The Janet Goeske Center, located in Riverside, is committed to enriching the quality of life of those 50 and older in the community while maintaining the highest level of advocacy and providing health and wellness programs. You can click here to see a list of their current programs – there is something for everyone.
If Riverside is too far away, contact your local senior center and get on their mailing list. Odds are they offer programs, classes, and events that appeal to your loved one.
2. Create a Daily Exercise Routine
There are all kinds of ways seniors and caregivers, or family members can exercise indoors. We’ve written several posts to that end, including:
- Core Exercises for Seniors
- Balance Exercises for Seniors
- Chair Exercises for Seniors with Limited Mobility
There are also a wealth of senior-safe exercise videos on YouTube.
3. Have a Dance Party
Here’s another thing seniors can do alone, with a companion or caregivers, with visiting family and grandchildren, or on a Zoom hangout with friends and family – have a dance party!
Dancing is an excellent way to get plenty of exercise while having fun and enjoying your favorite music. Also, many studies show the connection between music and memory helps improve cognitive function and boost moods in seniors with dementia.
4. Schedule a Video Date with the Grandkids
Make video dates a weekly occurrence with grandkids and other members of the family. Seeing faces and connecting more personally is far more satisfying than emails or occasional texts.
If you haven’t already, get your loved one set up social media channels and support them in using social media to further boost independence around social engagement.
5. Make Puzzles and Games Visible
Instead of keeping puzzles and games stored away and easily forgotten, set them up in a visible location. Once the boxes are stacked on a bookcase or corner table, seniors and their caregivers or guests are more likely to use them.
You can also keep books of crosswords, word searches, or sudoku puzzles on hand to keep senior brains active. Visit our post, 6 Amusing Senior Activities to Do with Your Parents, for more ideas.
Get Your Loved One Moving with Help from Families Choice Home Care
Are you worried your loved one spends too much time alone and not enough time engaged in outdoor or indoor recreational activities? Perhaps it’s time to invest in a part- or full-time companion or caregiver. The first step is to schedule a free, in-home assessment where you’ll learn more about senior home care options and which make the most sense for your aging parent.
