Leisure activities are highly beneficial for the elderly. The practice of such activities is thought to help older adults preserve their cognitive function, their physical function, and their mental health, contributing to their successful aging.

Seniors can get involved in a variety of activities that can help them stay healthy, active, and happy.

Here are some of the most popular leisure activities among older adults:

• Reading books and magazines

  Reading is a great way to bond with your senior loved one. If they enjoy reading, try starting with something easy like a magazine or a short story. Then move on to longer works like novels or biographies.

Here are the suggested magazines for Seniors:

1. AARP The Magazine
2. Reader’s Digest
3. Prevention
4. Birds & Blooms
5. Travel + Leisure
6. Discover Magazine
7. Cooks’ Country
8. Golf Digest
9. Reminisce

• Brain teasers, puzzles, and games

  Engaging in challenging activities is one of the best ways to keep your brain sharp.

Suggested for Seniors are:

1. BrainCurls
2. SharpBrains
3. Daily Word Search
4. Brain Trainer
5. Tetris
6. Solitaire
7. Daily Crossword
8. Memozor
9. Chess
10. Checkers
11. Trivia Plaza
12. The Jigsaw Puzzles
13. Wheel of Fortune
14. Lumosity
15. Crossword
16. Word Search
17. Sudoku
18. 399 Games, Puzzles, and Trivia Challenges
19. Brain Games
20. Best Brain Teasers of All Time
21. Logic Puzzles

NOTE: Choose games that a loved one will enjoy. You may have to pay a monthly fee to play certain apps and desktop programs.

Caregivers or family members must find games that are challenging but not overly frustrating. Consider the difficulty level of the games. The best brain games for people with Alzheimer’s disease would be those that aren’t impossible for them to complete at their current cognitive levels, such as brain exercises and games. You should start giving your loved one by solving some beginners’ puzzles and graduate to more challenging ones as he/she gains experience. If you are looking for Brain Games for Seniors, there are a lot available on Amazon.

• Watching television or movies

  Seniors are often advised to avoid watching television, but the reality is that many seniors do enjoy this activity. As long as they stay physically active and do not spend too much time in front of the TV, watching television can be a great way to relax and take your mind off things. It is crucial to note that this kind of activity must be done in moderation and with the right amount of time.

Here are some recommendations for old and new movies:

1. Shine (1996)

   A gifted pianist struggles with a dysfunctional childhood. Years later, he suffers a mental breakdown but returns as a legend.

2. My Fair Lady (1964)

   A snobbish professor of phonetics takes care of a lowly flower girl to make her socially acceptable.

3. The Sound of Music (1965)

   An aspiring nun is assigned as a governess to look after the seven motherless children. Her cheerful and loving nature soon calms their hearts.

4. The King and I (1956)

   The Welsh widow accepts a job as an English tutor and live-in governess for the King of Siam’s children.

5. Casablanca (1942)

   The Casablanca nightclub owner helped former lover and her husband escape during WWII.

6. Oddball (2015)

   The eccentric chicken farmer trains his dog to protect the penguin sanctuary from fox attacks so he can reunite with his family and save the town.

7. Mary Poppins (1964)

   At the turn of the century in London, to help two neglected children reconnect with their father, music and adventure are employed by a magical nanny.

• Gardening or working in the yard

  Many older adults enjoy gardening because it allows them to get outside and enjoy nature while creating something beautiful at the same time. If gardening does not interest your loved one, there are plenty of other outdoor hobbies that may be more suitable such as bird watching or bird feeding, and even fishing.

• Socializing with friends or family members

  Seniors can also socialize by going on vacations with family members and friends. They can take advantage of travel discounts for seniors and enjoy a vacation whenever they want during the year. Seniors who have retired may be able to travel more often than they did when they had jobs because they have more free time available to them.

It is significant to remember the leisure activities that seniors enjoy. Once you know what can be fun for them, you will better understand how to help them stay active and entertained.