Senior Living Events That Build Community and Spark Joy Daily
Engaging in senior living events can boost your mood and health while enhancing your sense of belonging. You can find fun lifestyle events for community engagement in Fort Smith, AR.
According to a study published in Innovation in Aging, boredom is a rising issue among older adults. Boredom is associated with social isolation and loneliness, which can compromise a senior's health and quality of life. Instead of feeling bored with your routine in Fort Smith, AR, explore local senior living events.
Engaging in group activities can encourage community engagement. You can gain a sense of belonging, renewed purpose, and a new source of joy in your life.
What are the benefits of an active senior social life in AR, and what lifestyle events are available? Read on to find out!
Why Is Community Engagement Important?
According to the CDC, one in three American adults is lonely. Another one in four doesn't have emotional or social support. These adults may experience health consequences associated with social isolation and loneliness.
Older adults face a higher risk of social isolation and loneliness. Both may increase your risk of mental and physical health issues, including:
- Heart disease and stroke
- Depression and anxiety
- Cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Weight gain
- High blood pressure
- Premature death
People who are socially isolated or lonely tend to make unhealthy lifestyle decisions. They may sleep poorly, drink too much, or get little exercise. These choices can further harm your health.
Community engagement can enhance your sense of belonging and purpose. It may help:
- You maintain cognitive abilities
- Increase life satisfaction
- Increase happiness
- Improve your outlook on life
- Lower your blood pressure
- Improve immune function
- Reduce your risk of chronic disease
- Ease anxiety and depression symptoms
- Increase activity levels
- Improve your emotional resilience
- Improve your longevity
Connecting with other seniors in Fort Smith can add a new source of joy to your life. This may enhance your overall health and well-being.
What Are the Benefits of Group Activities?
According to the National Institute on Aging, engaging in social, productive, and enjoyable activities may help you maintain your independence and well-being. Choosing activities that are meaningful to you may benefit your mind, body, and spirit.
Engaging in senior living events alongside members of your community may help:
- Improve your mood
- Reduce anxiety and depression symptoms
- Extend your lifespan
- Increase your sense of purpose
- Improve longevity
- Reduce the risk of dementia, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers
- Improve memory, thinking skills, and cognitive health
- Improve emotional resilience and coping skills
For seniors, spending time with friends may increase levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Your friends may also encourage you to make healthier lifestyle decisions, such as exercising and eating healthy meals.
Their presence in your life can help you feel supported, improving your sense of belonging. Leaning on them may help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Meanwhile, engaging in activities together can stimulate the mind, improving your mental health and slowing cognitive decline.
Senior Living Events in Fort Smith
Add a new source of joy to your routine! Here are some group activities that can enhance your Fort Smith retirement living.
Excursions
Your senior living community may lead exercises throughout Fort Smith, including trips to the:
- Fort Smith National Historic Site
- US Marshals Museum
- Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
- Fort Smith Trolley Museum
- Clayton House
- Local breweries and shops
- AGFC Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
- Fort Smith Museum of History
Exploring the local area can help you take pride in calling Fort Smith home. It can also encourage physical movement. Take pictures as you explore to capture memories with friends.
Fitness Classes
Explore your senior living community's fitness program for group exercise classes, such as:
- Walking groups
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Tai chi
- Pilates
- Barre
- Water aerobics
- Aerobics
- Weight lifting
- Resistance band training
Participating in group exercise classes can keep you motivated to exercise regularly. Your friends can act as cheerleaders. Their encouragement may push you to accomplish your goals (and their presence can make exercising more fun).
Try spending more time outdoors, which may reduce your risk of heart disease and depression. Outdoor activities include:
- Gardening
- Hiking nature trails
- Taking a stroll through Fort Smith
- Walking
- Bicycling
- Playing with grandchildren
- Attending outdoor excursions and tours
- Playing sports
Lifestyle Events
Your senior living community's events and activities calendar may feature:
- Art workshops
- Music, art, or pet therapy
- Potlucks
- Arts and crafts
- Card games and poker tournaments
- Cooking or baking classes
- Dance lessons
- Movie nights
- Book club
- Knitting or crocheting
- Birdwatching
- Music lessons
- Live performances
- Trips to local theaters
These lifestyle events can engage the body and mind. Engaging in hobbies can also renew your sense of purpose and accomplishment in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Mentally Stimulating Activities?
Mentally stimulating activities can keep your mind engaged and sharp. These can include:
- Jigsaw puzzles
- Crossword puzzles
- Card games (bridge, solitaire, hearts, etc.)
- Learning new skills (how to play an instrument, speak another language, etc.)
- Sudoku
- Word puzzles
- Math problems
- Scrabble and other board games
- Continuing education courses
These activities may help the mind form new neural pathways, potentially slowing cognitive decline.
Community engagement can also keep your mind sharp. Have friends over for tea and engage in a lively discussion.
What Are Self-Care Activities for Seniors?
Self-care activities can relieve stress and increase self-awareness. To manage stress between group activities, consider:
- Enjoying a cup of tea
- Practicing mindfulness or gratitude
- Using guided imagery techniques
- Completing deep breathing exercises
- Taking a warm bubble bath
- Using progressive muscle relaxation
- Reading a book or listening to an audiobook
- Taking a yoga, meditation, or tai chi class
- Cooking your favorite meal
Enhance Your Senior Social Life AR
Participating in senior living events can enhance your sense of purpose and belonging within your community. Explore these activities to enhance your Fort Smith retirement living. Remember, you can find more group activities through your senior living community.
Morada Fort Smith offers relaxed senior living, tailored to your needs. Our community is built around quality resident services, exceptional comfort, and exclusive amenities.
Explore our signature lifestyle programs, including restaurant-style dining with tableside service, diverse activities like mahjong, and senior-specific health and fitness classes like yoga. Contact us now to schedule your tour.