Activities for Elderly Residents in Watford
Hello. Welcome back to the Home Instead Watford blog! In this guide, we will share our favourite activities for elderly residents in Watford.
Welcome to Our Free Guide: Activities for Elderly Residents in Watford
As we get older, it becomes more important to look after ourselves mentally and physically. Participating in activities for the elderly or social groups for over-60s is a great way to stay connected, establish new friendships and stay active.
To keep things easy, we have split our guide by activity type to give you a real taste of the many local Watford activities on offer. We will cover:
- Exercises for seniors
- Craft groups
- Social clubs for seniors
- Further learning for over 50s
- Companionship support
Exercises for Seniors: Groups in Watford
Staying physically active is crucial for maintaining yourcore strength, bone density,muscles,dexterity, and cardiovascular health, which positively affects mobility and reduces your risk of falls.
Here are some of the Home Instead Watford Team’s favourite exercises for seniors:
Yoga at Pinner Methodist Church
Every Monday from 12:15 to 13:15 pm
(organised by Pinn Medical Centre)
Yoga at Northwood Methodist Church
Every Thursday from 10 to 11 am or 11:30 to 12:30 pm
(organised by MHA)
Yoga is excellent for improving strength, flexibility, and balance. And because it’s a low-impact exercise, it is a gentle way to improve your fitness without adding excessive stress on your joints.
Watford Tai Chi Group
Every Saturday from 11.15 to 12.45 pm at Leavesden Green Community Hub
(Information on Facebook)
Tai Chi is particularly great for improving strength, flexibility, balance, and cardiovascular fitness. It’s also great for reducing stress and improving healthier sleep patterns.
Love to Dance
Every Friday (term time only) from 12.30 to 2.30 pm at Holywell Community Centre, Chaffinch Lane.
(organised by Watford Get Active)
Dancing is fantastic for helping to burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, and increase strength, flexibility, and balance. It can also be quite a social activity, which is great for improving our mood and meeting new people.
Nordic Walking Watford
Events organised by Nordic Walking
Regular walking improves cardiovascular health and weight balance, boosts energy, and reduces stress and anxiety. If you aren’t up to longer hikes, try walking daily to the shop and back for your paper.
If you have support from a carer, or mobility is more of an issue, try swimming (local pools may have over 50s sessions you can book) or NHS seated exercises. Remember, even if you can only exercise a little daily, it is better than nothing.
Crafts for Seniors in Watford
Just as it is vital to stay physically active, mental stimulation is essential, too. Studies have shown that engaging in mind-stimulating activities can improve memory, puzzle-solving skills and communication (including those with mild to moderate dementia (Woods B, et al. 2023.)). We’ve also seen first-hand that when our clients engage in craft activities, they continue to build and maintain relationships, which is helpful for a sense of self and community.
Here are some of the team’s recommendations:
Knit & Natter Croxley
Every Friday from 10 to 12 pm at Croxley Green Library
Knit & Natter Oxhey
Every Thursday from 10 to 11am at Oxhey Library
Crafty All Sorts
Every Thursday from 12 to 2 pm at Rickmansworth British Legion Club
Again, if you need support from a carer or have mobility issues, try something at home. You can buy reasonably priced art and craft kits online, and there are many things you can have a go at, including card-making, painting, sketching, collage, puzzles, cross-stitch or embroidery, hand sewing, mosaic and more. You might even find a Facebook group to chat and share your work in (don’t forget to follow us on Facebook while you are there!).
For many of you, there will be crafts you once loved and may no longer be able to do, such as Evenweave cross-stitching. Dexterity and eye-sight play a big role in such fine work! While there are options to try bigger counts of cloth and special lighting or magnification, there might be other crafts you can move into. For example, Japanese Sashiko, a mending stitch technique, is now used for slow-stitching projects that could be useful (and beautiful) around the home. Equally, if you once loved very detailed sketching with pen and ink, why not try something bigger and more abstract with, say, acrylic? Finding a passion and a different way to use your many skills could be just as rewarding.
Social Groups for Over 60s Near Watford
Staying connected with others is important for maintaining our mental and emotional health. It gives us a greater sense of belonging, of self and community. Social groups for over 60s can be a fantastic way to maintain that connection.
Our favourite provider is the Watford & Three Rivers Trust. They host many social classes throughout the area and the week, each specifically designed to serve those over 55. You can contact them directly for the latest issue of their What’s On Guide.
Further Learning for Over 50s
If you’d prefer to remain mentally and socially active through learning, why not try your local branch of theUniversity of the Third Age (u3a). There are several in the central and north Watford area, Bushey, Croxley Green, Northwood, Pinner and Rickmansworth. They also host online events.
Companionship Support in Watford
Companionship services are also a source of great support for the over 50s in Watford. They can help your loved ones stay connected, engaged, and enjoying their independence.
Home Instead Watford offers outstanding-rated in-home companionship care designed to
- Support Mum and Dad by keeping them mentally and physically active
- Encourage social interactions and meet new people
- Build confidence to help them venture outside
- Provide motivation to participate in community events and hobbies
- And provide ongoing engagement despite long-term conditions like dementia
And you only need start with a few hours a week.
We have helped many families in your area with flexible weekly companionship care that nurtures those who need more help. You canfind out more about our services here.
Alternatively, you can call us on 01923 250513 to find out more.