You may have heard about the research that states that social connections for seniors can promote good health and can lead to a long life. It’s important that seniors put an in effort to stay connected to friends and family as they age.
But there are many seniors who live alone and are still living an active lifestyle. Sometimes this presents a challenge for some as to how to keep busy, when friends or family aren’t available with which to socialize. One wants to get out and do something but hesitates to do things on their own. They might be fearful of feeling uncomfortable by themselves or awkward in a group if they are alone.
I would like to suggest 9 activities where active seniors who are solo may feel comfortable doing by themselves.
- Take a Historic Milwaukee Walking Tour. Historic Milwaukee offers tours exploring dozens of different points of interest in Milwaukee. I took their Downtown Walking Tour – by myself – and I was very comfortable being alone on the tour. The tour went into buildings that I have passed by but never went inside. It was very very interesting. It was two hours long and you walk about a mile, so it’s for seniors who enjoy walking.
- Get a library card. I recently got my first library card since I was a child. And, if you haven’t been inside a library for many years, a lot of things have changed. I had been reading books on Kindle on my phone, and I must admit, holding a physical book is very satisfying. And I went back on a hot day and spent time just reading magazines and newspapers. I felt very “intellectual” and “cerebral” being there!
- Go to a matinee movie. I have done this for decades. When my children were little, going by myself to a movie was a great strategy to get out of the house. And today, still, I don’t feel uncomfortable going to a matinee movie by myself. I mean, you don’t talk to anyone while you are at the movie, so why do you need someone else to go with? After you do it a few times, it’s very easy to do by yourself. And you don’t have to share your popcorn….
- Visit a farmers’ market. A farmers’ market is a wonderful place to go and wander – you get a good walk in, you’re outside, you discover all sorts of unexpected delights. And I love having fresh flowers in my house, so if you don’t see anything else you need, you can always treat yourself to some flowers.
- Volunteer. Volunteering is always a suggested activity for seniors who are retired. It helps lead to a sense of purpose and gives you some structure to your schedule. And nonprofit organizations are always looking for individuals for volunteer assignments.
- Eat at a restaurant – A lot of people eat at restaurants alone. I have not mastered this myself, but a suggestion is to eat at the bar so you can chat with the bartender. And another suggestion is to go early, when it’s not as crowded.
- Join the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and attend a lecture. The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s School of Continuing Education houses the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. It is a membership organization and for $45 per year and a minimal fee per class, you can choose from dozens of lectures on a variety of different topics. I believe that attending a lecture is entertaining, educational and something easy to attend by yourself. I attended an Osher lecture last week and was very comfortable going by myself.
- Go to a driving range. Even if you are a beginning golfer, hitting balls at a driving range is an individual activity, so if you have any interest in golf, this would be a great way to get out of the house. Some driving ranges do even rent golf clubs but check in advance.
- Be a tourist in your own town. I’ve found that exploring the museums and attractions in Milwaukee to be a fascinating way to spend your day. And a very comfortably outing to do on your own. A few weeks ago, I so enjoyed attending a Gallery Talk at the Milwaukee Art Museum and I recently took a self-guided tour at St. Josephat Basilica. The coolest thing I learned is that the Basilica was built out of salvaged materials from the razed Chicago Public Library – and the doorknobs on the Basilica’s front door are the original doorknobs from the Chicago Library! Our zoo is also a great place for a leisurely walk on a beautiful day. The Domes and Boerner Botanical Gardens are still on my list to visit.