Senior Living in Boise, Idaho: What Activities Are Offered?

Choosing senior living in Boise, Idaho, can enhance your lifestyle with engaging activities. An active IL lifestyle can improve your mood, physical health, and quality of life during retirement.

According to a survey of about 1,000 seniors aged 65 and older, about one-in-four seniors are still working. About 36% of seniors say they've "unretired" because they're bored. Boredom is often linked with social isolation and loneliness, which could increase your risk of chronic health issues.

Choosing senior living in Boise, Idaho, could enhance your IL lifestyle. Their community engagement options can benefit your emotional, mental, and physical wellness.

What senior activities are available, and how can retirement fun improve your health? Read on to find out!

What Are the Dangers of Boredom?

About 63% of American adults experience boredom at least once every 10 days. However, many would prefer pain over boredom.

Chronic boredom is associated with impulsivity and risky behavior. It may lead to unhealthy decisions like eating processed foods or a sedentary lifestyle.

People who are bored easily are also susceptible to:

Anger
Anxiety
Depression
Isolation
Loneliness

According to the National Institute on Aging, social isolation and loneliness may increase your risk of mental and physical health issues. Related health problems include:

Alzheimer's disease
Depression
Anxiety
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Obesity
A weakened immune system
Cognitive decline
An early death

Active senior living may boost your mood and enhance your sense of purpose in life. It could encourage you to maintain your well-being, extending your longevity.

What Are the Benefits of Community Engagement?

Community engagement may benefit your mental, physical, and emotional wellness. Potential benefits include:

Reduces risk of social isolation and loneliness
Improves mental health (reduced risk of depression and anxiety)
Encourages positive emotions
Reduces stress
Improves sleep quality and duration
Encourages a greater sense of purpose
Encourages healthy eating habits
Keeps the brain active and engaged
Encourages problem-solving skills
Encourages learning and cognitive sharpness
Improves mobility, balance, and independence
Increases longevity

Community engagement can enhance your sense of purpose and belonging. This can reduce your risk of social isolation and loneliness, which are associated with chronic health conditions. Reducing your risk of these conditions may help improve your health, quality of life, and longevity.

Engaging with members of your community can keep you physically active. Consider going on walks or joining fitness classes with friends. Staying active can reduce your risk of chronic health conditions like cardiovascular disease.

Socializing can improve your mood. It may potentially slow cognitive decline. Consider inviting friends over for meals or coffee.

You can find opportunities to connect with other seniors through your community's exclusive lifestyle programs.

Physically Active Senior Living

According to the CDC, about 28% of seniors aged 50 and older are physically inactive. Inactivity is 30% more common among seniors with a chronic disease.

Making exercise part of your IL lifestyle may help:

Improve sleep quality
Reduce feelings of anxiety
Reduce your blood pressure
Lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease
Reduce your risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia
You live independently longer
Reduce the risk of weight gain
Improve your balance and coordination
Improve your bone health
Reduce the risk of weight gain

You can find fun exercise classes through your senior living community's fitness program. Ask friends to join you. Exercising together can make it more fun.

For example, you can go for a morning walk together. Benefits of walking with friends include:

Reduces the risk of loneliness and anxiety
Get you on a schedule (increases motivation and accountability)
Ensures safety
Improves your technique
Encourages you to challenge one another
Helps you maintain a steady pace

Senior Activities in Boise

Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar to discover new hobbies. Examples of retirement fun include:

Music classes
Music or art therapy
Sculpting
Gardening
Birdwatching
Scrapbooking and card-making
Bingo nights
Card games and poker tournaments
Board games
Mahjong
Art classes (painting, drawing, etc.)
Knitting and crocheting circles
Sewing and knitting groups
Pet therapy
Cooking and baking classes
Book clubs
Movie nights

Joining these hobbyist groups can help you meet people who share your interests.You can expand your skill set, which can stimulate the growth of new brain cells.

Other potential benefits of engaging in hobbies include:

Fewer depressive symptoms
Increased levels of self-reported health
Greater levels of happiness
Stress management
Improved brain health and function
Enhanced sleep
Reduced risk of diabetes and obesity
Lower blood pressure
Healthier aging
Increases sense of purpose
Feelings of life satisfaction

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is At Risk of Social Isolation?

According to the CDC, about one in four adults lacks social and emotional support, while one in three feels lonely. Group risk factors for loneliness include:

Low-income adults
Adults living alone
Immigrants
People who identify as queer
Young adults
Older adults

Individual risk factors for social isolation and loneliness include:

Facing the loss of a loved one or divorce
Facing unemployment
Having limited access to transportation
Facing language barriers
Living in a hard-to-reach area
Having a psychiatric or depressive condition
Facing a long-term disability
Having a chronic disease or condition

Consider moving into a senior living community if you feel lonely or isolated.Engaging with members of your Boise senior living community can reduce your risk, improving your health and well-being.

How Can Seniors Stay Engaged?

Seniors can stay engaged by:

Going on outings with members of their community
Exploring new hobbies
Participating in fitness classes
Learning new skills or continuing their education
Trying brain exercises (riddles, memory games, etc.)
Reading or writing
Learning a new language or instrument
Volunteering
Joining a club
Socializing with friends and family