Wellness Activities for Adults in Poughkeepsie Senior Living

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) says that almost 93% of older adults (65 years or older) have at least one chronic condition. Close to eight in ten (79%) have two or more. From high blood pressure (hypertension) to diabetes, heart disease, and depression, these are among the most common long-term problems many seniors live with.

While it's not possible to prevent or cure all chronic health problems, there are ways to manage them or lower their risk of development. One such strategy is regular engagement in wellness activities for adults in senior living.

Join us today at The Landing of Poughkeepsie, our retirement village situated in Poughkeepsie, NY, the naturally beautiful county seat of Dutchess County that overlooks the Hudson River. Read on as we'll share older adult wellness ideas and insights into healthy aging programs.

Physical Wellness Activities for Adults in Their Senior Years

Physical activity is one of the top activities seniors should engage in to enjoy optimal physical and mental wellness. According to the U.S. CDC, it brings many health perks to older adults, including:

Preventing and managing chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes
Reducing fall risk
Helping seniors enjoy more independence
Improving brain health
Enhancing the overall quality of life

There are several types of exercise that most older adults in senior living communities, including assisted living, should aim for.

Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Activity

Aerobic exercise is a form of physical activity that raises the body's use of oxygen and heart rate. It involves rhythmic, repetitive movements that utilize the body's large muscle groups.

Ideally, seniors should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Examples are:

Brisk walking
Dancing
Water aerobics
Level-ground cycling
Gardening

Aerobic activity can also be vigorous-intensity (for those who can do it, 75 minutes per week is the goal). However, this may not be suitable for seniors who are just about to start a new exercise regimen or have certain health conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis, heart disease, or cognitive impairment).

Muscle-Strengthening Activity

Also referred to as strength training or resistance training, muscle-strengthening activity is any exercise that makes the muscles work harder than usual. By doing this gradually and regularly, the muscles' endurance, strength, and power increase.

Seniors should aim to get muscle-strengthening exercises at least twice weekly. Examples of these wellness activities for adults in Poughkeepsie senior living are:

Safe use and lifting of weights like dumbbells
Bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, calf raises, and planks
Resistance band training
Yoga
Pilates
Tai-chi

Balance-Improving Activity

Fall incidents and injuries become more common and severe as people age. As the National Safety Council (NSC) points out, over a quarter of older adults report falling each year.

Balance-improving activities can improve stability, helping seniors reduce their risk of falling. Some ideas are:

Single-leg stands
Tai-chi
Heel-to-toe walking
Chair yoga

Because these simple balance-improving exercises are light and easy, older adults can incorporate them into their daily routine.

Nature Immersion or Outdoor Activities

Spending time in nature is one of the best senior enrichment activities, a claim backed by science. A study published in the journal ScienceDirect even explored the positive impact of nature and nature-based experiences among seniors in assisted living. Here are some of their key findings regarding accessible natural surroundings:

They promote physical activity and social engagement
They support cognitive, emotional, and physiological capacities and resilience
There's a connection between a reduction in all-cause mortality and living close to green spaces (e.g., parks and forests)
Outdoor time and contact with and exposure to natural spaces potentially support well-being

The good news is that Poughkeepsie, NY, gives seniors numerous nature-based opportunities, as it has many beautiful parks and green spaces, from Freedom Park to Peach Hill Park and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail. Franny Reese State Park and Tymor Park are also excellent options offering outdoor activities in a beautiful, natural setting.

Our senior living community itself, The Landing of Poughkeepsie, is proud to offer our assisted living and memory care residents easy access to natural surroundings. We have a lovely outdoor greenspace on-site where seniors can enjoy sunshine, fresh air, relaxation, and socialization.

Fun Gaming That Stimulates the Brain

Recreational games that aren't just fun but also brain-stimulating can contribute to enhanced senior mental well-being and cognitive health. They "work out" the brain, which is necessary to maintain its proper functioning and sharpness. Playing these regularly, especially with others, can help older adults keep their brains and their functions, including memory, decision-making, and critical thinking, intact for longer.

Some examples of entertaining and engaging "brain" games for older adults are:

Sudoku
Crossword puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles
Scrabble
Bingo
Chess and checkers
Other strategy games like Mahjong and bridge

Healthy Eating Made Delicious and Social

At The Landing of Poughkeepsie, chef-prepared meals are a crucial component of our assisted living and memory care engagement and wellness programs. Our talented culinary experts design balanced diet meal plans using fresh ingredients. They provide our residents with the necessary nutrients that support physical, mental, and cognitive health, such as:

Protein
Calcium
Vitamin D
Vitamin B12
Fiber

What makes our exclusive dining program even more special is that it features a social aspect. Here, residents can enjoy restaurant-style dining with their neighbors, family, and friends. Our front-end team also treats them with attentive tableside service.

By making dining a social activity, we aim to promote delicious, healthy eating and social connectedness. Breaking bread with others can improve emotional health by helping combat loneliness and creating a sense of belonging. It can also encourage seniors to adopt and maintain healthy dietary habits.

Enjoy Many Wellness Activities for Adults at The Landing of Poughkeepsie

At The Landing of Poughkeepsie, wellness activities for adults in their golden years abound, from senior-friendly exercise to nature time, fun brain games, and social dining.

So, if you or an older loved one is thinking of moving to an assisted living or memory care community, consider exploring our beautiful, welcoming, and inclusive retirement village in Poughkeepsie, NY. Here, only exceptional personal care, attentive service, and exclusive lifestyle programs, including health, wellness, dining, and entertainment, await you.

Call us today to learn more about and to arrange a tour of our senior living community!