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Are you looking for healthy hobbies for seniors in the St. Louis area? There are plenty of great hobby ideas that can help seniors stay healthy. In many of those activities, caregivers can also participate to help enhance seniors' enjoyment of the activity or provide companionship. 

1. Senior Fitness Classes

There are a variety of senior fitness classes available around the St. Louis area, including options like classes from Club Fitness in Fenton or Orangetheory Fitness. The specific fitness class that is the best fit for a given senior may depend on the senior's overall activity level, fitness, and general health. Caregivers can easily dive into those classes along with the seniors under their care.

2. Gardening is One of the Healthy Hobbies

Touching and working with soil can actually help improve mental health. As seniors work in the soil, they may see an increase in serotonin, which can help stave off depression. Gardening can also help keep seniors active and engaged as they pick out plants, and weeds, and keep the garden looking its best. Furthermore, in some cases, gardening can have the added result of providing healthy fruits and vegetables for seniors to add to their diets. Caregivers can dig in alongside them, aiding in the care of those plants.

Some of the best crops in the Ballwin area may include:

• Carrots
• Summer squash
• Potatoes
• Cucumbers
• Spinach
• Bell peppers
• Cherry tomatoes

If working in a standard garden is no longer a good option due to mobility concerns, container gardening can allow seniors to enjoy the benefits of gardening without some of the stress.

3. Cooking

As seniors age, nutrition becomes increasingly important. Many seniors enjoy cooking healthy meals for themselves and their loved ones; however, they may not feel like putting in the effort to cook when they're the only ones eating. Cooking with someone else, including a caregiver, can help bring back some of that enjoyment. Look for recipes that incorporate healthy ingredients or that may offer healthier substitutions for some of the senior's favorite treats.

4. Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles aren't just fun, they can actually offer cognitive benefits. Working on a puzzle can help improve visual/spatial reasoning, basic cognitive processes, and even memory. Not only that, many people find that working on a puzzle can help decrease stress since it helps keep them at the moment. Working puzzles together can also be a bonding experience, since it will give caregivers a chance to talk with the seniors under their care. 

5. Birdwatching

Keeping an eye on local birds is a great way to get back to nature and spend some time getting more active, too. Birdwatching can take place at the local park, on an easy trail or hike, or even from the convenience of home. Install bird feeders and look up the birds that come to the area together so that both of you can enjoy the process.

As seniors age, healthy hobbies can shift based on their changing needs and physical ability. Many of those healthy hobbies also offer a great chance for seniors to bond with their caregivers. Are you looking for caregivers for yourself or a senior loved one? Contact us today to learn more about the support we can offer.