We’ve blogged about it before, but we can’t stress it enough — elderly isolation must be avoided at all costs. So our last field trip idea is all about social interaction and community engagement.

Take advantage of the local senior center! With planned activities and programs, senior community centers promote socialization and wellbeing. They even serve nutritious meals that accommodate special diets. Also, many senior centers now have access to Wii® and its “exergames!”

Not only does your loved one benefit from the senior center — whether it’s by stretching the body and easing the mind in a low-impact yoga class or by playing a game of cards or Wii Bowling — but you benefit as well. As a family caregiver, a senior center is a source of much-needed respite. It provides a chance to enjoy some “you-time” while knowing that your loved one is in good hands — and having a good time.

Many senior centers offer programs that involve children, which is an excellent way to make your loved one feel young again. Don’t regret missing out on the opportunities that a senior center provides! Do some research and find out what’s available in your area. And if you find one online, make sure to visit the it with your loved one — you should both feel comfortable with the center’s environment, people and activities.

Need some help to jumpstart your senior center search? Check out Senior Services!

Thanks for reading this week’s series on field trips for the elderly. Whether your loved one is playing an exergame on Wii, taking a walk with you through a park or interacting with other seniors at a community center, your loved one will enjoy the extensive benefits that a change of scenery and routine provides.