One of the greatest joys of retirement is reclaiming time to focus on cherished hobbies and interests or having the opportunity to discover a new passion!
Some seniors may take up part-time jobs to stay active and engaged, while others may struggle with how to fill their days-a dilemma some have longed for since entering the workforce as young adults. Engaging in fulfilling hobbies with their newfound free time can make all the difference in a retiree's physical and mental well-being.
Whether it's a morning walk around the neighborhood, diving into fiction books, bird watching, traveling, shopping, or painting, engaging in activities has proven highly beneficial for seniors. According to News Medical, hobbies help prevent age-related decline in mental, social, and cardiovascular health. Their findings also highlight several additional benefits including:
- Reducing and managing stress
- Stimulating the brain, potentially decreasing cognitive decline
- Boosting the immune system
- Supporting mobility
- Enhancing social connections, which can improve mood
At Commonwealth Senior Living, our passionate Resident Programs teams understand the benefits of seniors being involved with engaging activities and discovering fulfilling hobbies. Below, you'll find some of our Signature Programs designed to provide residents with the healthy, safe, enriching, and rewarding lifestyle they deserve.
- For the Traveler:
- Travel the World Program: Whether you love the snow-capped peaks, skiing down a mountain side, or digging your toes into the sandy beaches of a beautiful island, there is a fun-filled destination planned just for you! Our all-inclusive program features the sights, sounds, foods, and culture of your favorite vacation spots, right from your own CSL home.
- For the Foodie:
- Farm-to-Table Dining benefits include reducing blood pressure, lowering the risk of heart disease, and promoting higher brain activity. Recognizing this importance, we launched this program in partnership with Babylon Micro-Farms to bring fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables to all of our communities. This award-winning partnership in hydroponic farming provides the freshest produce available grown inside our dining rooms and is chosen and harvested by our own residents. In addition, our partnership with Produce Source connects us to 47 local farmers, ensuring that 85% of our produce is harvested locally.
- Dining Delights: These are special, monthly events hosted by our Dining Services Director. These events often celebrate the monthly theme and include a cooking demonstration. Some past events include making state-fair-worthy funnel cakes, baking apple pies around the Fourth of July, and cooling off with a F'real smoothie on a sunny day.
- For the Musicians:
- Sweet Melodies: The arts play a large role in our activities calendar with residents volunteering for their peers in some communities. Music also plays a vital role in reaching and connecting with our residents with later-stage dementia. For those who have lost verbal skills, Sweet Melodies stirs memories by using nostalgic music to ignite a spark within the resident. We build a personal playlist from conversations with family and by sampling a variety of musical genres. The music reaches deep inside and resonates with our residents.
- SingFit: This therapeutic music platform provides lyrics and cues to loved ones participating to enable them to sing along to their favorite tunes, or songs they have never heard before. It works by showing the residents the lyrics before they play in the song to allow them to engage. This helps promote cognitive engagement, boost energy, promote relaxation, and allow residents to bond and have social engagement.
Transforming the Resident Experience with TSOLife
TSOLife empowers our Resident Programs teams to help each resident engage in the topics that interest them most. The platform delivers precise insights into residents' interests, enabling our Resident Programs teams to understand exactly what activities our residents enjoy. Additionally, TSOLife 'matches friends' by identifying shared hobbies and interests among new and current residents.
Explore the Activities Calendars at Commonwealth Senior Living at the Eastern Shore
Living in a Commonwealth Senior Living community offers various activities, programs, events, and activities, allowing seniors to continue enjoying their favorite hobbies. You'll also have peace of mind knowing that additional support, including personalized care and medical assistance, is available should your loved one need it in the future. Our communities are designed to help your loved one thrive and enjoy life to the fullest.