Senior Citizen
South Carolina is home to over one million people over the age of 60. While the senior citizen/retirement age is considered 65 in the Palmetto state, this is still a large number of people entering the later years. In fact, South Carolina’s median age is 40, meaning that half of the population is younger and the other half is older than 40.
With so many senior citizens living in the state, it’s important to consider their health and well-being— especially since many seniors experience health problems that can hurt their overall quality of life. Here are some of the best activities for them to engage in.
#1: Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are a great activity for seniors to enjoy, as it provides a number of benefits. When seniors engage in arts and crafts, it improves emotional, cognitive, and physical health; increases social interaction, when engaging in these activities with others; improves overall happiness; reduces stress; gives them a sense of purpose; gives those in assisted living a chance to do something independently; and finally, arts and crafts increase self-realization. South Carolina has plenty of arts and crafts stores to purchase supplies, as well as arts and crafts festivals and other events for seniors to participate in.
#2: Cooking/Baking
Cooking and baking is not only a great activity for seniors, but also for people of all ages. However, for seniors, it’s a chance to pass down family recipes and traditions to their children and grandchildren. If you’re a senior in the Palmetto state, you’re probably aware of and know how to make some of your state’s signature dishes.
#3: Fishing
Fishing is an activity that many seniors already engage in, and it’s something that they should continue to do because of the health benefits it provides. Not only is it a great stress-relieving activity, but it provides moderate exercising and strengthening activity. Fishing works the arm and leg muscles, as well as the core— all of which can help improve balance. Not to mention that the freshwater fish you catch and eat is full of heart-healthy nutrients. South Carolina is home to many lakes and rivers with some of the best fishing locations being Lake Jocassee, Lake Marion, Lake Murray, Lake Greenwood, and the Congaree River.
#4: Gardening
Gardening is a great activity for all seniors to take up because of the many benefits associated with it. It’s a nice, relaxing activity that reduces stress, and it also provides a light form of exercise. Not to mention, a fruit and vegetable garden will provide you with healthy foods. South Carolina specifically is a great state to plant squash, pumpkins, lettuce, carrots, cantaloupe, broccoli, and beets all year long.
#5: Knitting/Sewing/Crocheting
Knitting, sewing, and crocheting are also activities that many seniors already participate in that have a variety of benefits. Often considered to be a form of arts and crafts, these activities allow seniors to enter a state of relaxation, keep joints limber, improve cognitive function, and also improve hand-eye coordination.
#6: Talking/Visiting
Seniors love being visited by their loved ones, especially if they’re in a nursing home or another type of one of South Carolina’s 300+ assisted living facilities. Nursing home residents don’t tend to get a lot of visitors, so even if you’re not a senior (or maybe you are) you can choose to visit a nursing home and talk with one or more residents. Family members of those in nursing homes should make an effort to visit and talk with their loved ones because then they’ll be able to see if they’re being properly cared for or if they’re experiencing abuse or neglect.
#7: Walking
Finally, walking can be one of the best activities for seniors who still have their mobility. Walking is a great form of exercise for people of any age, but it’s the perfect activity for seniors that focuses on cardiovascular activity, strength, and balance. Walking can be done anywhere, and in South Carolina, what better place than one of its many beaches? Some of the most popular beaches in South Carolina include Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island, Folly Beach, Isle of Palms, Surfside Beach, and Sullivan’s Island.
It’s important for seniors to engage in some type of activity, whether they’re in assisted living or if they live independently. Engaging in the right activities can improve their quality of life, even if they’re experiencing health problems and/or mobility issues.
