Activities With Elderly People

Book Club

• Host a book club for a group of senior citizens. A book club is a good idea because it is an ongoing activity that can last for weeks or months. The seniors can read a new book each week and then meet to discuss it. Choose classic books, such as "The Grapes of Wrath," as well as books that are on the current best-seller list. Remember to make sure that the books are available in large-print editions or on tape for the seniors who have vision troubles. A book club will be a good way to help keep the seniors' minds active and give them a sense of community with their peers.

Scrapbooking

• Consider working with the seniors in your life to create scrapbooks. They can bring in pictures, movie ticket stubs and other mementos from their life and use them to make scrapbooks of important memories. For example, one senior might want to create a scrapbook devoted to her grandchildren. She can place pictures inside the scrapbook and write down memories of things she has done with them, such as taking them to the zoo or celebrating Christmas with them. The seniors can then show off their scrapbooks to their friends as a way of getting to know them better.

Dance Classes

• Just because a person is elderly does not mean he cannot enjoy some of the things that younger people like to do. Consider hiring a dance instructor to teach the senior citizens some new moves. Choose simpler dances for the seniors, such as the hula or the waltz. Seniors in wheelchairs can even get a feel for the dances when someone pushes their chairs to the beat. Dancing is a good way for seniors to get exercise to help keep their bodies active.

Ceramics

• Decorating ceramics is a creative activity that many senior citizens can do. Let the seniors choose pieces of ceramic, such as platters, canisters, piggy banks or flowerpots. They can then paint the ceramic items in a solid color or with a design, such as their initials or polka dots. When they are done painting, fire the ceramic piece to set the paint. The seniors can use these items to decorate their homes or give them to friends and family members as gifts.