Free-time activities of elderly people - Text 3

Free-time activities of elderly people

A Social activities for the elderly are essential because they help in bringing about considerable improvement in their health condition and their overall well-being. This is because any activity will increase their body movements which in turn will improve the condition of their physical health. It is also needed for their mental wellness as it helps to get rid of depression, dementia and memory loss. It adds up to their confidence and gives them a sense of independence. They should include leisure and cultural activities specifically designed for the elderly. This can also contribute to the society as we can come to know about their special skills.

B Club “Seniors in Action” offers a lot of leisure and cultural activities for the elderly. Seniors are provided with several types of creative, sports, and educational courses. They can take part in computer, and creative writing classes; play bingo, bridge, and chess; go social and line dancing, sightseeing, to the theatre, cinema, for a trip, or on excursions. They are allowed to attend sewing, knitting, and gardening courses or do yoga, tai-chi, senior, and aquatic exercise as well. They can meet with the club members at the restaurants, cafes, and barbecue parties.

C Social activities for the elderly in the form of recreation in some ways have a therapeutic effect on their mind and body. However, as the elderly do not have flexible body movements, certain modifications need to be made to accommodate them into various recreational activities. Fishing, boating, playing golf, etc., are enjoyed by the elderly “Seniors in Action” as they can be done with minimum physical movements. Various sports equipment that has been altered for the convenience of the elderly is available in the club which enables the elderly to take part in various sport activities. For indoor activities, there are video games with necessary adaptive controls which the elderly can play.

D The basic aim of all these social activities for the elderly is to boost up their self-esteem. It gives them an opportunity to express their feelings. Lastly, one more thing to be added is that cognitive activities for the elderly are very helpful in checking some of the age related serious ailments like Alzheimer’s disease. It can include solving various types of puzzles or certain mental mathematics where the use of paper and pencil is not allowed. Keeping them happy and busy is the secret.

ailment – onemocnění

alter – změnit, upravit

boating – plavba na lodi

boost up – podpořit

confidence – sebedůvěra

include – zahrnout

1) Read the article and answer the questions.

       1 What is the article about?

2 What is the project Club “Seniors in Action” about?

3 What do elderly people do in this club?

4 What helps them to improve their physical health?

5 What helps them to improve their physical health?

6 What activities are done outside the club?

7 Which diseases can be stimulated by these activities?

2) Explain the following words.

1 independence

2 leisure

3 tai-chi

4 cognitive activities

5 disease

3) Answer the following questions.

What are usual free-time activities of elderly people in the Czech Republic? What kinds of stimulation do they have in care homes? Are there any senior clubs you know? How would you change the leisure time of your grandparents?

Adjusted to:

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/social-activities-for-the-elderly.html