Activities for Older Men

For older men, retirement brings about an array of challenges. Maintaining physical health can be accomplished through exercise, but keeping mentally sharp is just as important. Retired men also confront issues regarding self-worth when they suddenly find themselves without the tasks for which they once were held accountable. There is an eclectic list of activities senior men can utilize to cope with these issues.

Exercise

• Swimming provides low-impact cardio workouts for older men.

  Walking is one of the easiest activities a senior man can partake in because it can be done anywhere and the only equipment you need is a comfortable pair of sneakers. It can lower blood-sugar levels, blood pressure and reduce body fat in older men. Swimming is another low-impact activity ideally suited for senior citizens. It allows older men to strengthen and tone their bodies without the danger to bones and joints that high-impact exercise can bring. Cycling offers aerobic fitness benefits that can reverse the effects of aging such as arthritis, hypertension, depression and asthma. According to the Western Australian Department of Transport, those over 60 years old who cycle on a regular basis are less likely to have a heart attack.

Game Playing

• Challenging board games such as chess keep the mind sharp.

  Games are a way for older men to enjoy the company of fellow senior citizens, not to mention their grandchildren. Games that involve strategy help keep the mind nimble and sharp. Consider traditional board games such as backgammon, chess, checkers and Scrabble. Puzzles are another way to exercise the mind, such as crosswords, word jumbles and jigsaw puzzles. Card games such as hearts, pinochle and poker provide an opportunity to get the guys together for some bonding time. Bingo is a classic game for seniors that offers a chance to get out of the house for some low-cost fun if a local church or civic group hosts a weekly Bingo night.

Hobbies

• Older men can discover their inner Picasso when they take up painting as a hobby.

  Hobbies are a way to pass the time, stay active and thwart boredom. They can even help seniors reconnect to things they did as a kid. Older men have myriad hobbies at their disposal depending on their interests. If they enjoy working with their hands, there is woodworking, arts and crafts and modeling. Modeling can range from building cars and ships from kits to making things such as vases and figurines from clay to building and flying model rockets. If one enjoys collecting, hobbies include stamp, coin and baseball card collecting. There are hobbies for older men as diverse as cooking, painting and gardening.

Volunteerism

• Volunteering for social causes like literacy can provide retired men with a sense of self-worth.

  One of the hardest things for an older man to deal with upon retirement is the feeling he is no longer needed. The thought of hanging around the house all day with no responsibilities can be depressing. One way to avoid that is through volunteerism. Volunteers are always needed and there is a plethora of ways to do it. Local churches and community groups always need help with their projects. Contact your local Lions Club, Rotary Club and Knights of Columbus to see what's available. If your town has a volunteer ambulance corps or fire department, chances are they could use an extra hand. If there is a political, social or environmental cause you are passionate about, retirement provides an opportunity to get involved. This could range from stuffing envelopes to making phone calls to helping out at the local soup kitchen.