We're often asked about ideas for senior activities. The notion of "activities" is just a little tricky, when you think about it.

Older people who may just be a bit more frail than they used to be resent being presented with "activities" that would be more appropriate for a toddler. Most still have the interests they always had, though they may now watch golf or cooking on the television rather than actively participate.

Most activity suggestion lists are targeted toward adults with dementia who live in group care. Pass the ball, name that tune, and sing-alongs do work to some degree in these environments. Talk to many of the residents, however, and you'll hear from the more alert that these activities are demeaning, degrading and juvenile. Many would give their eye teeth for something mentally challenging and novel to do, even only once a week or even monthly:

A trip to the library... A real movie in a real theater with a bag of popcorn, a drink, and sticky stuff under the seat ... A jaunt to the hardware store, especially if there is an old-fashioned one in the area. Home Depot will do in a pinch ... When it's warm enough, a sub sandwich or an ice cream on a shady park bench ... A visit to the local farmers' market before it gets too hot/cold ... An unhurried hour in a hobby or fabric store (you might be surprised to see what craft or kit excites interest).

Notice that most of these things involve leaving the house. Our non-driving seniors are dying to get out to do something other than visit a doctor.

Think about your elder's history. What did he or she enjoy doing back when "health" wasn't yet the determining factor? Is there a way to give him or her a taste of that again?

We all know that sorting beads, folding the flat laundry and other such activities may be helpful busy work for the Alzheimer's patient. Yet the majority of our seniors have no dementia. They might need some physical help, but they are also dying to have a little bit of life, too. Even if you can only give them one afternoon a month, can you plan something "different" to do for a few hours? You may find that you have even more fun than your senior.

If getting around outside is problematic, a travel wheelchair makes these sorts of excursions much more fun.