During the colder months, it’s extra important to help seniors stay social and engaged in life. Fortunately, the Asheville and Hendersonville area offers plenty of community resources and events centered on art, physical activity, and social interaction. Let’s explore some great options that will enrich seniors’ lives this winter.
Museums and Arts
Crafting with peers or looking at art can be relaxing and mentally stimulating. Here are a few ideas to try:
- At Harvest House Community Center, seniors can enjoy painting, ceramics, and other activities.
- The Asheville Art Museum features a rotating array of engaging exhibits. They also offer educational activities like their Slow Art Friday (held on most Fridays at noon), where a volunteer educator leads an in-depth discussion of several art pieces.
- The Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway displays traditional and contemporary crafts from the region. They also hold demonstrations of crafts like broom-making and woodcarving.
- The Art League of Henderson County provides arts and crafts classes from watercolor painting and pressed flower art to holiday card making and cookie decorating. They also offer a scrapbooking club.
Your loved one might strike up new friendships as they interact with peers who also enjoy the arts.
Games and Socializing
Encourage seniors to enjoy fun social activities that also stimulate their mind, like these:
- Elevate50 Hendersonville offers games like Scrabble, bingo, euchre, Farkle, and dominos.
- Grove Street Community Center offers social events like games and trivia challenges on a regular basis, as well as crafts.
- In Asheville, the American Legion offers bingo every Tuesday night from 7–10 p.m., weather permitting (the cost is $25).
- The Burton Street Senior Elite Club offers day trips, movies, meals, and game days.
- The Senior Opportunity Center offers group crossword activities, trivia, movies, and crafts.
Helping seniors stay connected with family and friends will enhance their quality of life. Remember to also hold senior-friendly holiday gatherings by making family events accessible and inclusive.
Educational Programs
Programs like these offer both education and the chance to socialize with peers.
- The Council on Aging of Buncombe County provides shared lunches with educational speakers and connections to wellness programming. Plus, Mountain Mobility provides transportation to eligible seniors.
- The Blue Ridge Center for Lifelong Learning offers free year-round classes for seniors at the Henderson County Campus.
- The Turning Pages book club (Hendersonville) meets once a month to discuss a book they’re currently reading.
- The No Pressure Senior Book Club meets at the Heritage Park Senior Facility Library at 1 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month.
As they meet up with like-minded peers to learn, seniors can build community.
Sports and Exercise
Programs like these provide senior-friendly opportunities for exercise:
- Henderson County Parks and Recreation offers engaging physical activities, like table tennis, cornhole, and basketball.
- Elevate50 Hendersonville holds dancing sessions, featuring ballroom dancing, line dancing, and more. They also hold various other activities like chair volleyball and pilates for seniors.
- Asheville Community Yoga offers specialty classes for seniors, featuring gentle movement to support mobility and balance.
- The YMCA of Western North Carolina offers senior-friendly activities like pickleball.
These programs let seniors socialize and have fun while staying active.
If your loved one needs assistance participating in activities like these, perhaps an in-home care aide can help. Companionship care will also let your loved one stay more socially engaged even while at home.
Ready to discuss how elder care can support your loved one’s well-being year-round? Schedule a free nurse consultation call.
