What To Do In Retirement (Stay Busy During Retirement)

Outdoor Activities for Seniors

One of the best places to start when looking for retirement activities is the great outdoors. There are a wide variety of outdoor activities for seniors that can turn into enjoyable hobbies during retirement. Enjoy these pastimes in solitude, or you can have a friend, child, grandchild, or spouse join you!

Bird Watching

Bird watching is a popular activity for people of all ages, but it is especially beneficial for seniors. Discovering, identifying, and distinguishing different birds in nature is not only mentally stimulating, but regular walking can be good physical activity as well. Many people find that bird watching has relaxing, meditative properties. Additionally, because of the low level of physical activity required, it can be a great activity for seniors with low mobility, families, and individuals of all ages.

Walks & Hikes

Regular exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. Walking and hiking are inexpensive, simple activities that seniors can do with ease; with such a variety of types of walks and hiking trails, it isn’t difficult to find a path that suits your desired activity level. There is a large body of research showing the health benefits of walking for seniors, as well; the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published a study showing that seniors who walked four or more hours per week reduced their risk of hospitalization as a result of cardiovascular events. A 30–45 minute walk each day will have you exceeding this goal with ease.

Fishing

Fishing is another senior-friendly outdoor activity that you can enjoy during retirement. It’s a low-impact, heart-hearty activity, and an enjoyable family pastime. Relax and enjoy nature in solitude, or consider packing a picnic and bring the family along. At Copeland Oaks, our campus has its very own bass lake where residents can go fishing. Additionally, there are plenty of other places to fish in and around Sebring, Ohio, including Westville Lake, Deer Creek Reservoir, and Lake Hodgson. Or, get out on a boat and fish on the waters of Lake Erie, just over an hour’s drive away!

Golf

Even if you’ve never picked up a club, it’s not too late to learn how to golf. If you’ve never tried it before, you can begin taking lessons for an added social benefit during retirement. If you have been a skilled player throughout most of your life, consider teaching a grandchild or relative how to play. Golf is social, relaxing, active, and a great way to spend a sunny day. Additionally, early studies from University of Southern California suggested that adding golf to a senior’s activity routine can improve walking and standing ability, balance, strength, and cognitive processing. Residents at Copeland Oaks are encouraged to take advantage of their free lifetime golf membership at the Berlin Lake Golf Club!

Arts & Crafts Activities for Seniors

Creating art is an important part of human expression and can be an excellent retirement activity. Participating in art activities is a great way for seniors in retirement to spend their time, express their creativity, and feel inspired. For those interested in performing, dance or acting classes can be a great way to get active.

If you’re looking for craft activities for seniors, consider taking a class in pottery, knitting, or painting. Residents at Copeland Oaks are encouraged to look into classes at the Creativity Center, home to regular art classes on painting, knitting, woodworking, photography, and more.

According to a study by George Washington University, arts and crafts activities for seniors are shown to have health benefits including relaxation, a strengthening of self-identity, and improved cognition and memory.

Technology, Video, & More

Begin incorporating technology into your life. In today’s increasingly connected world, it is important to learn how to operate computers, phones, and social media. As a retiree, consider adding these activities into your routine. At Copeland Oaks, we have several programs and amenities that can help you pursue these interests during retirement.

Technology Groups

If you’re struggling to connect to your social media accounts or just want to know a little more about how computers work, Copeland Oaks is here to help. The Copeland Oaks Computer Users Group (COCUG) is a group of residents that gather periodically to learn the basics of computers and learn the basics. COCUG is led by a resident, so you’re sure to feel understood and included.

TV Studio

Retired seniors interested in television and production should consider stopping by the TV Studio at Copeland Oaks. Learn how a television studio operates, host a show, or even broadcast your favorite programs and tapes. You can even learn more about your on-campus neighbors during their periodic campus interviews! Find Virgil Springer, a resident at Copeland Oaks since 1999, before you join and learn about his weekly programs that are broadcasted to the entire campus.

Growing in Your Faith

If you consider yourself to be spiritual or religious, retirement can be a time to reconnect to your faith. Use your free time to attend Bible studies, growth and support groups, prayer circles, or attend mass more often. Not only can this bring socialization into your life, but many local churches have volunteering opportunities as a way to give back to the community. If they’re interested, you can even get your family involved as a way to bring you closer together. Copeland Oaks is associated with the United Methodist Church, but we welcome all faiths, religions, and spiritualities. There are many on-campus groups to join! Take advantage of our vesper services, held every Sunday and Wednesday night, our wide variety of Bible studies, or our various growth and support groups. At Copeland Oaks, you’re sure to find like-minded individuals to connect and grow with.

Copeland Oaks

At Copeland Oaks, we have a large variety of activities for our assisted living residents. If you’re looking for a community with an active retirement community, we’re here to help you live your life to the fullest! We have all of these activities for seniors and more. Our beautiful, 250-acre campus could be your next home. We have many different activities for our residents, including outdoor hiking paths, golf, art classes, television production, and more. No matter the activity you want to pursue during retirement, the Copeland Oaks Assisted Living Community has something that you will enjoy. Additionally, the campus is within a reasonable driving distance to Sebring, Ohio, a town known for its charm and scenery, as well as the cities of Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown.