Beyond Bingo: Senior Living Activities Have Come a Long Way

Whether you’re actively independent or not quite as active as you once were, no one wants to sit around all day doing nothing. We all need stimulation to keep our minds, bodies, and spirits strong. Senior living fosters a sense of community and – here at Magnolia Manor, at least – provides a wealth of opportunities to exercise and socialize.

So, if you thought the only thing our residents have to look forward to each day is bingo, you haven’t been to Magnolia Manor!

Something for Everyone

Despite the limitations during the pandemic, we found plenty of creative ways to stay active and in touch with one another and our families. Now -- boy, are we glad to be face to face again. We’re still emerging, so some of our campuses have opened up more than others. But we will all get there!

Meanwhile, we’re busy. Go to any monthly calendar and see for yourself. Click on a specific campus/community to find out what’s happening at that location.

Activities vary by campus and among types of residential areas within each campus, so they are geared toward resident abilities as well as interests. And speaking of interests, our Activity Directors take requests. They are always open to new ideas about what residents themselves want to do.

So, what are we up to at Magnolia Manor? Here’s just a smattering of the kinds of activities our residents enjoy:

Practicing our faith

As a faith-based organization, we offer worship services on Sundays and also on other days at some campuses. Throughout the week, you’ll also find residents singing with the chaplain and getting together for devotions, Prayer Circle, or Bible study. (Or choir practice on some campuses.)

Special interest groups

Residents join together to pursue favorite hobbies from gardening and reading books to enjoying music in many forms, including sing-alongs.

Frequent fun

• Ice cream socials (our Magnolia Manor residents do love their ice cream)
• Designated snack times
• Afternoon matinee movies (complete with popcorn, naturally)
• Do you miss playing old-fashioned board games with your family? We don’t, because we’re still playing with our Magnolia Manor family members.

Exercise

• Balloon volleyball (don’t laugh, younger people, it’s not as easy as it sounds)
• Swimming
• Tai chi
• Armchair aerobics
• A morning stroll with friends

Special events

• How ‘bout a luau complete with hula lessons?
• Professional entertainment
• Pet therapy sessions (Who doesn’t want to pet an animal and get some instant love and perhaps a soft, friendly lick in return?)

Let’s not forget holiday and birthday celebrations

As you might imagine, we’re big on birthdays at Magnolia Manor. We even have a few residents who are centenarians.

We go all out with food, decorations, and fun to celebrate all the usual holidays – and some lesser-known ones as well. One of our annual favorites is Root Beer Float Day.

Did you know that Saturday, August 6th, was National Wiggle Your Toes Day? In case you missed that, you don’t have to wait till next year to celebrate – you can wiggle your toes in the grass (or the beach sand if you live at our Magnolia Manor St. Simons Island campus) any day you want.

Designated quiet times

You don’t have to take a nap (though you could), but setting aside time to read, meditate, or just sit and enjoy the beautiful surrounding landscape is a good “activity” to rest the mind and rejuvenate the spirit.

And, yes, we do play bingo!

Why not? It’s fun, it’s another great way to socialize, and there are prizes to win!

What’s it like to live actively at Magnolia Manor?

Come for a free tour and find out! To schedule a tour or learn more about our nine senior living communities in south Georgia, contact us online or give us a call at 855-540-LIFE (5433).