40 Independent Living Activity Ideas for Seniors (& Older Adults)

December 31, 2024 | News | Reading Time 9:00 Minutes

Independent living activities: they’re the heart and soul of a senior living community. Independent living activities: they’re the heart and soul of a senior living community. What’s more, we know that a positive relationship exists between the amount of physical activity and well-being seniors enjoy in senior living facilities (Mendeley Data, 2024).

Some of the best memories are made through happy hours, game nights, fitness classes, day trips to the zoo, and much more.

Aside from building picture-worthy moments and friendships that stand the test of time, independent living activities can help reduce the hassle of chores and help seniors and older adults live healthier lifestyles.

For more than 30 years, the senior care specialists at Village Walk have been creating robust activity calendars with residents’ interests, hobbies, and values in mind. If you’re looking for new activities to spark your imagination — or just curious about what types of independent living activities senior care facilities offer — then you’ve come to the right place.

Join us! 

In this article, we’ll review some of our favorite independent living activities that help seniors and older adults thrive. We’ll also discuss tips for finding the right independent living activities for seniors, so you and your loved one can thrive with peace of mind.

Why independent living activities (benefits for seniors)?

Independent living activities are important, because they encourage residents to socialize, stay active, and learn new skills. When seniors are active in mind and body, they’re able to live healthier, happier, and longer lives.

As such, independent living activities allow seniors to lead their best lives. Without the stress of dealing with strenuous chores, seniors in an assisted living community can focus more on on-site activities that stimulate the mind and body.

Other benefits of independent living activities include the following:

• Increased time spent socializing: residents in independent living communities enjoy many opportunities to build community. Card games, outings, happy hours, current events programming, book clubs, and foodie field trips are all fair game as activities for independent living.
• Opportunities to deepen one’s spirituality: the best independent living communities offer residents ways to nurture their spirit and soul. Whether attending a religious service on- or off-site, speaking with a religious leader, or engaging in scripture-reading groups, community-based independent living communities offer many activities for total well-being.
• Opportunities to nourish physical health: Living in a community gives residents the chance to stay active. Many assisted living communities offer health and wellness programs and situate living arrangements so that seniors can walk more steps to and from different parts of the facility. For example, at Village Green, we have a fitness room and often take residents on field trips to the beach or a local swimming pool.
• Stimulates creativity: Art, music, dance, and painting classes provide residents with the opportunity to learn new skills, practice cherished hobbies, and discover new ways of enjoying their favorite pastimes.

A note on activity calendars

The most thoughtful and caring communities will ask residents and their families what activities they like.

Then, the activity directors will incorporate said interests into the existing activities calendar to tailor the community’s offerings to residents’ needs.

Social activities and events for seniors in independent living communities

Spa nights, karaoke, and themed events: these social activities and more help residents maintain a healthy social life. Independent living communities often hold the following types of social activities and events for their residents:

• Happy hour events
• Movie nights
• Trips to the zoo
• Wine tastings
• Ice cream socials
• Holiday and birthday parties
• Community picnics, barbecues, and fundraisers
• Spa days on- or off-site
• Book clubs and board game clubs
• Game nights
• Visiting organizations

At Village Green, our activity directors help seniors socialize, introduce them to like-minded individuals, and ask residents and their families what activities they’d like to see more of in their schedule.

Popular day trips for seniors in independent living communities

Some activities at independent living facilities often take place outside the facility. Many activities for seniors in assisted living communities allow seniors to explore the great outdoors and the surrounding community.

Group outings and day trips allow seniors to live a vibrant, active lifestyle. Using a community-based bus or van can help seniors engage in activities like shopping, medical appointments, and errands around town.

On independent living day-trip outings, seniors can explore and become more involved in their local community. Some of the many different types of activities that our assisted living provides to foster mental stimulation and keep residents engaged and fulfilled include:

• Concerts, plays, and musicals
• Trips to local museums
• Community service projects with schools and local organizations
• Visits to local restaurants, shops, parks, and hiking trails
• Trips to the local farmers market
• Movie screenings
• Trips to local sporting events

With so many engaging activities for seniors, many assisted living communities provide a diverse activities calendar to keep seniors and their families abreast of the facility’s happenings.

By having an activities calendar available, senior living communities can help meet the diverse needs of their residents and their families.

The importance of an independent living activities calendar

As mentioned above, an independent living activity calendar is the heart and soul of an independent living facility. For prospective residents and their families, while touring an independent living community, ask a staff member for an activities calendar.

Doing so will help you determine if the community can provide for your needs and preferences. The majority of communities now offer printed calendars located in public spaces in the community.

Seniors who live in an independent living community can often find which activities are being hosted in main hallways, by mailboxes, and in common areas. Many independent living communities tend to hold events from Monday to Wednesday, from 9 AM to 5 PM, with Thursday to Sunday being open and free of planned activities.

As such, implementing a schedule allows fellow residents to engage in activity offerings on a timeline that works best for their needs. At the end of the day, senior communities thrive when they plan thoughtful and relevant activity offerings and events that fosters in seniors a sense of accomplishment.

Pro tips on finding the right independent living activities for seniors

If you’ve lived long enough to find yourself living in a senior community, you’ve likely worked many years, raised a family, and lived a full life. As such, independent living communities enable seniors to maintain autonomy through a variety of activities that sharpen cognitive abilities and help nurture seniors’ pre-existing hobbies and interests.

Before choosing an independent living community, we like to ask prospective residents and their families to consider their preferences, interests, and needs as they begin scheduling tours of our community.

If you like solo activities, ask your community whether they provide the autonomy you need to enjoy solitary time engaged in your favorite hobby. Before choosing an independent living facility, we also recommend the following tips:

• Get a feel for the demographics of the community.
• Explore which types of activities are offered.
• Browse common areas to understand what the assisted living activities look like in action.
• Create your list of your “must-have” activities and “wish list” activities at your independent living community of choice.

By having concrete ideas about what you like and would like — and by touring a facility — you can have a better understanding of which community is best for you and your loved one.

And don’t be shy. Senior living advisors love to answer questions.

Whether you’re looking to find activities suited to your loved one’s needs or would like to know which types of group activities the community engages in, senior concierge staff members are happy to discuss activity offerings at a time that’s convenient for you.

Curious to learn more about independent living communities?

Whether you’re looking for a community that offers fitness activities, outdoor activities, or a range of activities across the board, we always recommend booking a tour of an independent living community before signing up to live in one.

You’ll even be able to ask senior living residents what they think of the activities instead of relying on a calendar of events alone. But, if you don’t have access to a guided tour, a phone call or email to your local assisted living community can help you better understand the types of activities offered at your prospective independent living community.

If you’re interested in learning more about assisted living activities for seniors, don’t hesitate to reach out to our senior care team. Our senior care advisors have more than 30 years of experience curating personalized activities based on our residents’ interests and needs.

To learn more about senior independent living activities for a vibrant lifestyle, don’t hesitate to contact us at (516) 271-2500 or villagegreenlife@villagegreenseniorliving.com.

“She’s entertained better than if she was in her own home.”

“My aunt has been here [at Village Green] for over two years, and I’m impressed with the care provided. Many activities are available for her, and these keep her entertained better than if she were in her own home with a private caregiver.

She also gets regular physical therapy if needed and has no pressure sores.” – Dawn D., grateful Village Green community member.

Welcome to Village Green Senior Living in Levittown, NY