At Visiting Angels®, we know how important home is to elderly adults. After all, the very goal of senior home care is to help seniors extend their years spent in the comfort of home. But as recent research has found, spending too much time at home can significantly shorten the lifespan of seniors. How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House
According to results published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, seniors who rarely leave the house have higher rates of mortality than seniors who leave their homes regularly. Meanwhile, seniors who leave the house every day have the lower rates of mortality of all.
These results were true even when researchers adjust for a range of health conditions. This suggests that spending almost all of one’s time at home isn’t just a sign of poor health, but an active contributor to it. That leads to a simple conclusion: spending more time out of the house could increase the average lifespan of elderly adults.
So how can family, friends, and caregivers encourage seniors to spend more time out of the house? Here are a few strategies.

Out-of-the-House Activities for Seniors

Have a Cup of Coffee. One of the best ways to get older adults out of the house is to make a cup of coffee at a local café or a lunchtime visit to a favorite restaurant a part of their daily routine. This can be done with a group of friends, a family member, or a professional caregiver.
Run Errands Together. Many seniors stop running errands as they grow older, preferring to have family, friends, or caregivers do them on their behalf. An alternative is to do these errands together. That way, seniors have someone with them to lend a hand and take care of any difficult aspects to errands, but they still get to enjoy time out in the community.
Take a Short Walk. A short walk around the neighborhood or through a local park is a great way to not only get seniors out of the house, but also to get them active. Even a short, five to ten-minute walk offers cardiovascular health benefits for seniors, and it’s the perfect way to get fresh air in warm weather.
Sign Up for Weekly Activities. Local community centers, seniors’ centers, and religious institutions often host a range of weekly activities perfect for seniors. Card games, tai chi classes, and book clubs are just some examples of popular activities for elderly adults.
Take Advantage of Community Markets. Many communities have weekly farmers’ markets, many of which are senior-friendly spaces. These markets are a great way to spend time outside, while also picking up healthy fruits and vegetables for during the week. Depending on your loved one’s interests, you might also find success with flea markets or arts-and-crafts markets.
Get Fresh Air Close to Home. You don’t need to go far to get out of the house. Elderly adults — particularly those with mobility difficulties — can get daily fresh air by spending time on their porch or in their backyard. Consider adding a birdfeeder, buying outdoor plants, or changing the garden so that your loved one has a reason for spending time outside.

When encouraging seniors to spend time out of the house, there may be limitations or difficulties you need to plan around. Many seniors become housebound due to physical health concerns that make it difficult to leave the home, so family members and friends may need to find activities that are easier to access and enjoy.
Another common issue is who seniors perform these activities with. Socially isolated seniors may not have friends or family available to join them when they leave the home. If seniors don’t enjoy spending time outside alone, it can be difficult to motivate them to get out of the house. Hiring a senior home care service, like Visiting Angels, to accompany your loved one for out-of-the-home activities may be helpful if this is the case.
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How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House

How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House How to Get Seniors to Spend More Time Out of the House

Getting out of the House