10 Hobbies and Activities for Older Adults | Staying Active in Retirement

Retirement offers a wonderful opportunity to explore new interests and revisit old passions. 

At Venelle, our caregiving team encourages clients to engage in a variety of activities and hobbies. These pursuits are not only enjoyable but also essential for maintaining mental and physical wellbeing.

Here are our top 10 activities for older adults, which any caregiver can use to help their clients stay active and pursue their interests:

1. Gardening

Gardening is a rewarding hobby which combines light movement with the joy of nurturing plants, making it one of the best activities for older adults. 

It's a great way for clients to exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and even grow their own vegetables and flowers. Whether they have a large garden or only a few potted plants, the therapeutic benefits are waiting to be reaped. 

2. Walking

Walking is one of the simplest yet most effective forms of exercise, improving cardiovascular health, strengthening muscles, and boosting mood. 

Why not take your clients to explore local parks and nature trails, or simply for a stroll around their neighbourhood? It’s an activity which can be easily adapted to suit various fitness levels and support needs.

3. Arts and Crafts

From painting and knitting to pottery and scrapbooking, there’s a type of arts and crafts activity out there to appeal to everyone. 

Taking up such a hobby is great for maintaining fine motor skills and improving hand-eye coordination, which are both important for your clients to practise. 

These activities for older adults can also be a fun way for them to make personalised gifts for family and friends, adding a special touch to birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations. 

4. Reading and Writing

Reading is a brilliant way to keep the mind sharp and deepen empathy by experiencing different perspectives from the comfort of one’s own armchair. 

With so many different genres to explore, your clients will never grow bored - especially if they join a book club, where they can discuss their favourite novels with fellow reading enthusiasts. 

Writing is an equally fulfilling alternative, providing the opportunity to document personal stories and preserve them for future generations. 

Just like with a book club, joining a writing group to work on projects together gives this activity a welcome social element. 

5. Volunteering

Volunteering is a meaningful way for your clients to give back to their local community. It gives them the chance to continue making a positive impact on the lives of others in retirement, providing them with a sense of purpose. 

Many organisations welcome the experience and skills that older adults bring. With the wealth of knowledge and expertise they’ve accumulated over the years, the perspective they can offer is invaluable. 

Whether it's philanthropy, mentoring, helping at a local charity shop, or supporting community events, any of these activities for older adults can provide a sense of belonging and widen your client’s local support network. 

6. Cooking and Baking

Experimenting in the kitchen is often overlooked, but it can be a fun hobby to try. As caregivers, cooking with your clients allows you to control the nutritional content of their meals, helping them maintain a healthier lifestyle. 

There are many possibilities for creativity with both cooking and baking, allowing your clients to explore new flavours, techniques, and cuisines from the comfort of their own homes. 

Baking in particular is another popular way of creating personalised gifts for loved ones, just like arts and crafts. Nobody can suppress a smile when handed a plate of homemade brownies or a tray of freshly baked cinnamon rolls!

7. Yoga and Tai Chai

Yoga and Tai Chi are gentle forms of exercise which work to improve flexibility, balance, and mental clarity. These ancient practices combine physical movement, breath control, and mindfulness.

Particularly beneficial for older adults, the slow and deliberate movements of both yoga and Tai Chi build muscle strength and increase joint mobility, which is essential for maintaining balance and preventing injuries. Regular practice can also alleviate stiffness and pain.

With many community centres and gyms offering classes, it’s easy for beginners to get started. These classes are often already modified to accommodate potential mobility limitations, ensuring they are activities for older adults where everyone can participate safely and comfortably.

8. Birdwatching

If your clients like spending time with animals, birdwatching could be an ideal hobby for them to take up in retirement. 

Simultaneously relaxing and educational, it’s an activity that can be enjoyed from a local park, nature reserve or the comfort of their garden. All they need is a good pair of binoculars and a bird guidebook to get started.

Birdwatching also contributes to citizen science, with any organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) encouraging birdwatchers to record their sightings. This data is then used to track bird populations over time and distance, supporting nationwide conservation efforts.

9. Puzzles and Brain Games

Puzzles and brain games are excellent for engaging the mind, providing the mental stimulation your clients need to maintain good cognitive health. 

From crossword puzzles and Sudoku to jigsaw puzzles and chess, regularly having a go at these kinds of activities will help them to improve their memory, reasoning and problem-solving skills. 

Many online platforms now offer a variety of brain games tailored for older adults. These digital games range from classic puzzles to interactive challenges designed to stimulate different areas of the mind.

10. Swimming

Swimming is a brilliant, low-impact exercise that’s gentle on the joints, making it ideal for those with arthritis or other joint issues. It's also great for improving muscle strength and flexibility, with a rhythmic nature that helps to boost heart and lung function. 

Many recreation centres offer water aerobics classes designed specifically for older adults, giving your clients access to a social and enjoyable way to stay fit. These classes typically include a variety of exercises, such as water jogging, strength training with water weights, and flexibility work. 

At Venelle, we truly believe in supporting older adults to live the life they choose – offering assistance at the point it’s needed, but always in line with their wishes..

Our experienced caregivers provide personalised care, helping our clients pursue their interests and stay active in their golden years. 

To make an enquiry about our luxury home care services in London, contact our friendly team today.