As seniors age, many of them become bored and unmotivated so they would need new and exciting activities to keep them busy. You can keep your seniors engaged by encouraging them to pick a new skill. Learning helps to fight loneliness and keep things interesting.
Seniors who take physical or online classes would be able to make friends and communicate with others. If it's hands-on training, they'll get to exercise their bodies as they move from their house to the school. Regular exercise helps to give them a sense of well-being.
But most importantly, learning improves the memory of seniors. It helps to sharpen their brain and keep it active. Seniors who pick up new skills also reduce the risk of having mental health issues. New activities help to eliminate worry, stress, and depression in senior adults.
Skills and Courses for Seniors in Singapore
Seniors in Singapore are encouraged to develop and maintain their functional abilities. Old age should not stop them from leading active lives. There are a variety of skills that they can grasp easily. Below are some skills and courses for seniors in Singapore.
1. Culinary Courses
Older adults can learn new recipes, cooking methods, and foreign cuisines. If a senior loves to cook, you should enroll them in a cooking class. Some culinary courses are also available for seniors who don't know how to cook.
There are different cooking courses to choose from. Seniors can learn to bake cakes, cookies, and pastries. They can also learn various cooking techniques that are used to prepare Japanese, Indonesian, Korean, and Thai meals.
2. Language courses
Singaporean seniors might find it interesting to learn new languages. They will be able to communicate with people from other countries. A foreign language can help to improve the memory, speech, and reasoning of older adults.
They can learn to speak Korean, French, Japanese, and Chinese languages. The classes are over an extended period of time so seniors can practice in between classes. Mastering a new language can serve as a brain workout for seniors.
3. Arts/Creative courses
Many seniors are naturally gifted when it comes to arts and crafts. Some might love drawing, painting, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. If your older adult is willing to explore their creative side, you should register them for arts and creative courses.
They could learn photography, portraiture, creative writing, and Decoupage art. When seniors develop their artistic skills and engage in arts, they are keeping their hearts and minds open for ideas. They could also learn to play popular songs on the ukulele for stress relief.
4. Gardening Courses
Seniors who are interested in growing their own mini garden should sign up for some gardening courses. They could learn to decorate their surroundings with beautiful flowers. A flowering plant workshop also teaches how to take care of the flowers.
They might also sign up for culinary herbs classes. It can help them grow organic herbs and spices for their own consumption. Seniors should also learn how to grow different leafy vegetables too. These classes are great for beginners and usually last for one or two days.
5. Digital Literacy Courses
In recent years, Singapore has been talking about digital inclusion. Everyone including seniors should become digitally literate and embrace technology for smart living. Seniors should learn how to use computers and other gadgets.
Older adults can learn basic computer as well as Internet skills. They should be able to turn on a computer, create documents, and use simple software. Seniors can also learn to use social media to communicate with their loved ones.
6. Health & Wellness Courses
Older adults would benefit from having a healthy lifestyle. They need to eat nutritious meals, have enough rest, stretch their bodies often and adopt other healthy habits. Seniors could enroll in a nutrition and wellness course.
Many seniors need to remain active and participate in physical exercises. A senior fitness program would help them stay in good health, enhance their flexibility and also boost their immune system. They can also learn to stay well and age successfully.
Conclusion
Age shouldn't deter anyone from picking up a new skill or chasing their passion. Since most seniors are retired, they would enjoy learning new things and practicing what they've learned. They should embrace active aging and enroll in courses that they're interested in.
Seniors can use their SkillsFuture credits to learn skills that would improve their lives. They could sign up for physical or virtual classes. Learning also helps to ward off memory issues, boredom, and any form of depression that comes with old age.
For the list of courses offered by the Council for Third Age and its providers, click here to find out more.
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As seniors age, many of them become bored and unmotivated so they would need new and exciting activities to keep them busy. You can keep your seniors engaged by encouraging them to pick a new skill. Learning helps to fight loneliness and keep things interesting.
Seniors who take physical or online classes would be able to make friends and communicate with others. If it's hands-on training, they'll get to exercise their bodies as they move from their house to the school. Regular exercise helps to give them a sense of well-being.
But most importantly, learning improves the memory of seniors. It helps to sharpen their brain and keep it active. Seniors who pick up new skills also reduce the risk of having mental health issues. New activities help to eliminate worry, stress, and depression in senior adults.
Skills and Courses for Seniors in Singapore
Seniors in Singapore are encouraged to develop and maintain their functional abilities. Old age