Why should seniors have hobbies?

As you age, it becomes more common to discontinue the hobbies you enjoyed when you were younger. While you may get lost in your responsibilities from day-to-day life, there are many reasons why you should have hobbies as a senior. First and foremost, engaging in hobbies reduces your chances of developing dementia and keeps your thinking skills sharp. Hobbies can also help improve physical health and emotional health, which decreases your likelihood of depression and gives your life a sense of purpose. 

What hobbies are good for seniors?

There are plenty of hobbies for older people to enjoy. From taking walks around the park, playing an instrument, cooking, fishing, gardening, writing, swimming in a pool, knitting, baking delicious desserts, solving puzzles, yoga, among others, the list of hobbies for seniors is endless. While you may be interested in one hobby but not the other, the best way to get into a hobby is to start doing it. Having hobbies, interests, and passions to focus on can improve a senior’s life, especially if they live with illness or physical ailments.

Why are hobbies for chronic pain important?

If you are living with chronic illness, such as joint pain, it is important that you try hobbies that will minimize and get your mind off the pain. This will help improve your quality of life and have many positive health impacts. Hobbies such as walking, water aerobics, or workouts designed for seniors are great ways to get physical exercise for chronic pain. These are known as cardio exercises and can be done at any time of the day. Most gyms also offer classes for seniors such as Zumba Gold, aquacise, and yoga. If you have access to a swimming pool, you can partake in light exercise and improve your cardiovascular health, flexibility, and muscle tone. Alternatively, you can get fresh air and enjoy nature by going on long walks. 

How to have hobbies with urinary incontinence? 

A common barrier to pursuing hobbies as a senior may be the fear of bladder leakage when partaking in activities. Having urinary incontinence can discourage some people from doing the things they enjoy because they may feel embarrassed about wetting their pants. Doing pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, can help improve bladder muscle control and make it easier to make it to a bathroom in time. While these exercises can help strengthen your pelvic floor, it won’t guarantee that you’ll never have a leak. For this reason, it is recommended to wear incontinence products such as protective underwear and sanitary pads. While some may worry that others will be able to tell that they are wearing incontinence products, people are most likely unable to notice them. It is better to be protected from unwanted leaks through your clothing than live in fear of what others may think. 

How to get involved with the community and make friends as a senior?

Socializing and spending time with others can help reduce stress and stimulate your brain. As you grow older, you may find that you don’t have as many close friends or family to socialize with. This can result in feelings of loneliness and can have negative impacts on your mental health. There are many ways you can meet people and get involved in your community. If you are religious, you can attend church and get involved in their volunteer activities. You can also volunteer your time at food pantries or animal shelters. Senior centers and libraries also offer activities and clubs that you can attend. If you want to learn something new, you can take classes at a local community college or audit one. These are all great ways to meet people and potentially make new friends. 

What are budget friendly hobbies for seniors?

While having a list of hobbies to choose from is great, you may be worried about the cost of affording them. If money is a concern or an activity is out of your budget, you should be asking if senior discounts are available. More likely than not, you will find that most places will offer some sort of discount for seniors. In addition, there are many free resources available if you know where to look for them. For example, most libraries should have audiobooks, movies, and games to rent out. In addition, there are usually free events to attend around town such as craft fairs, live music, and cook-offs. Lastly, volunteering your time is always free and a great way to give back to the community. These are all great ways to keep your mind preoccupied without having to spend a dime.

San Pablo Commercial is a family-owned, small business with a mission to deliver affordable medical supplies to their customers and caregivers. We offer a variety of incontinence products, ranging from SPC underpads, adult diaper briefs, reusable protective underwear, sanitary pads, absorbent liners, and disposable bed pads with adhesive. We ship directly to residential homes, home health care facilities, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and senior living communities within 2 to 3 business days. We care deeply about our customers and want to make ordering incontinence supplies easier so that they can spend more time doing the things they love.