Activities for Seniors: More than Bingo

Article submitted by Zane Robertson of Active Minds For Life. For further information, they can be reached through their website www.ActiveMindsForLife.com.

Walk into any senior center, retirement community or assisted living facility and you will undoubtedly find a full offering of activities for seniors. Typical options include musical performers, arts and crafts, a slide show of Alaska's wilderness, movies, birthday celebrations, and, of course, Bingo. I once played twelve Bingo cards simultaneously and had a wonderful (if not relaxing) time. I adore the beauty of Alaska's wilderness and a good movie is always a special treat. I enjoy live music and I think birthday parties are great fun (as long as they're not mine).

Each one of these activities, however, has one thing in common: they are pastimes-enjoyable ways to pass the time. They are an essential part of life and living well, but-and here's the catch-they are not enough! What's often missing in this menu is meaningful engagement of the mind! It's like dining on a meal of cake and ice cream. It tastes good, but it doesn't really nourish you. The key to rounding out this menu is lifelong learning and other mentally challenging activities.

Fortunately, senior activities providers are responding to this need. More and more, communities are providing programming designed to challenge, stretch and excite the mind. Bingo is being supplemented with classes ranging from the "History of the Lewis & Clark Expedition" to "Bio-Engineered Food" and "The Future of the Middle East." Seniors are studying poetry, art, music, literature and more-and they are loving it!

Why is this happening? One reason is simply demand. Seniors want to continue learning for the joy that it provides. A second reason is a growing realization that lifelong learning is a central part of aging well. Stretching your mind and learning new things keeps you engaged in the world and adds meaning and purpose to your life. And doing this as part of a class or seminar adds a social component that is a proven antidote for depression. Scientists have also shown that those who participate in mentally challenging activities at least once a week have a lower likelihood of developing Alzheimer's and other brain related diseases.

What this all adds up to is a compelling national trend. In the words of one expert, this phenomenon is "exploding" and is only going to accelerate as the baby boomers begin retiring in staggering numbers. Most retirement communities have already responded by adding educational programming and many have expanded their mission to include providing for the mental needs of residents. So, let's play Bingo...and let's learn about the beliefs of the Islamic faith, or how the Supreme Court works, or ponder Cuba after Castro, or... The world is your oyster. Enjoy!

Zane Robertson is the President of Active Minds®, a Denver based provider of educational programs for seniors. He is a frequent speaker on lifelong learning and senior education and serves on the Denver Commission on Aging and the board of the Denver Coalition for Seniors. Active Minds programs are available in many of Denver's finest senior residential communities as well as a variety of public venues. For more information, contact Mr. Robertson at 303-320-7652 or visit www.ActiveMindsForLife.com.