Moving to an independent living community has many benefits for older adults. For one thing, you’ll never have to shovel another driveway or worry about replacing a leaking roof again. You’ll also get to enjoy a wide range of amenities designed to make life more comfortable.
At Riddle Village, we offer a full complement of independent living activities for our residents. You can also plan your own events if you’d prefer to stay in your apartment and spend time with just a few friends. If you’re looking for something to do with your free time, consider these independent living activities.
Social Activities for Senior Living Communities
Ice Cream Socials
Ice cream socials give residents a chance to socialize while enjoying a sweet treat. If you want to hold this type of event in your apartment, all you need to do is buy several flavors of ice cream and plenty of toppings. Sprinkles, maraschino cherries, hot fudge, caramel, marshmallow fluff, whipped cream, and sliced bananas are popular options. You may even want to provide several types of cones, such as cake cones, waffle cones, and sugar cones.
Movie Nights
Movie nights are another popular activity for those living in retirement communities, mainly because they’re easy to plan and don’t cost a lot. If you want to plan a movie night for your friends in your apartment, all you need is a television, a good movie, and some snacks. Popcorn, candy, nachos, and soft pretzels are all good options. If you don’t want to host in your apartment, you can attend one of our regular movie nights, which are held in the Towne Hall at Riddle Village.
Cocktail Hours
One of the benefits of moving to an independent living community is that you can continue enjoying your favorite meals and beverages. Riddle Village offers four unique dining venues. The Thoroughbred Lounge is our newly renovated bar, lounge, and restaurant. Whether you want to sit on the patio or enjoy the warmth of the fireplace, the Thoroughbred Lounge is a great place to meet your fellow residents for a relaxing drink.
Game Nights
Another easy way to socialize with residents of your senior living community is to plan a game night. Scrabble, Yahtzee, Monopoly, and Boggle are good picks for older adults of all skill levels. If board games aren’t your thing, invite your friends to meet you at the game room in the Riddle Village Commons Building. The game room has shuffleboard, billiards, and other fun activities available for residents looking to socialize with each other and have a good time.
Book Clubs
Reading keeps your mind sharp, so it’s important for older adults to read as many books and articles as possible. One way to make it fun is to ask people from your senior living community to join you for a book club. Instead of reading a book and then forgetting about it, you’ll have a chance to discuss the plot and characters with your new friends. Participating in book clubs at your independent living community exposes you to different points of view and makes it easier to make friends with other residents. Reading is a resident favorite pass time at Riddle Village thanks to the organized book club and the fully stocked library!
Craft Sessions
Doing crafts has many mental and social benefits for older adults. For example, working on a crochet project stimulates the mind, gives you a sense of accomplishment and may even help you improve your cognitive function. Craft sessions give you the opportunity to socialize with people who have common interests and develop new skills, making them one of the most popular activities at independent living communities.
Educational Activities for an Independent Living Community
Just because you’re not in school doesn’t mean you have to stop learning. One of the many benefits of independent living is that you can continue gaining new knowledge and learning skills to enrich your life. One way to do this is to participate in educational activities with other residents.
Art Classes
Have you ever wanted to learn how to do needlework or create an abstract painting? Art classes may be a good fit for your interests. Some classes focus on art history or biographical information about specific artists, while others aim to teach you the skills you need to paint, sculpt or sketch your own creations. You may even get a chance to display your work or discuss it with other residents, turning an educational activity into a social one.
Fitness Classes
If you’ve ever looked for independent living activities, you’ve probably seen many fitness classes on the schedule. Exercise has a variety of health benefits for older adults, including better balance, increased strength, and improved mood. Physical activity may also help you improve your cognitive function and prevent a wide range of chronic health problems. Participating in exercise classes can help you take advantage of these benefits while spending time with other residents.
Stay active by doing yoga, low-impact aerobics or other types of exercise. You may even want to branch out by trying line dancing or using resistance bands to improve your strength. Before starting any new exercise program, check with your doctor to find out if you need to make any health-related modifications. Your doctor may recommend that you start out with a short walk each day until you’re stronger and have more endurance, for example.
Field Trips for Older Adults
Exercise classes can be fun, but you don’t need to spend several hours per day working out if you want to stay active. You can explore the area around your independent living community and get plenty of physical activity by going on field trips.
Holiday Activities
If you don’t plan to attend many holiday parties, visiting holiday-related attractions is a great way to have fun. Media, Pennsylvania, has the Holiday Stroll & Festival of Lights each year, giving you an opportunity to watch the tree lighting just a few minutes away from Riddle Village. Koziar’s Christmas Village, located in Bernville, is well worth the 70-mile drive. The village has more than one million lights, a reflective lake, and decorated buildings.
During the fall, many local businesses offer pumpkin painting, apple picking, and other fun activities for older adults and their family members. You may even enjoy attending a parade for St. Patrick’s Day or Memorial Day.
Local Attractions
Media also has a number of community attractions that are ideal for older adults who want to stay active. The Delaware County Institute of Science, Briar Bush Nature Center and American Treasure Tour are just a few examples. Nearby Philadelphia also has world-class museums and outdoor recreation, and Riddle Village Residents benefit from planned trips out with help from the activity and transportation departments.
Outdoor Activities for Independent Living Communities
Nature Walks
Nature walks are one of the most beneficial activities for older adults. Instead of having to keep up with power walkers, you’ll be able to move at a leisurely pace and stop to examine leaves, trees, and flowers. Check to see if there are any walking groups you can join if you want to go with a larger crowd.
Gardening
Gardening brightens up many communities, and it’s also a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. You don’t need access to a huge plot, either. Just grab a few friends, get some pots, and plant colorful flowers to brighten up your apartment. Be sure to visit the community garden at Riddle Village to socialize with other residents who share similar interests.
Bird Watching
Bird watching is an ideal activity for older people because it can be modified to accommodate participants with joint pain or other health concerns. To get started, you’ll need a pair of binoculars, a bird identification book, and a notebook to record what you see each day. Don’t be afraid to explore new neighborhoods to improve your chances of seeing uncommon birds.
Enjoying a Luxurious Retirement
Our PA retirement community offers independent living in a luxury environment, making it easier to maintain an active lifestyle. To learn more about our floor plans and amenities, contact us at (610) 891-3700.