Suggested activities for senior woman - help

kennM

Good evening all,

Had a good dig through all the forums and I suspect this may be close to the most appropriate forum to pop this into. I'm writing on behalf of my Mum, lets just leave her in the 50+ category : )

She lives in West Dublin and I'd like to identify some activities that could be involving and enjoyable for her. Unfortunately she's not in the best of health but very sociable etc.

This isn't a lonely hearts ad or anything of the nature. Any thoughts, recommendations, places to check out for seniors events/activities would be fantastic. My thoughts are along the lines of book club or something of that nature but I'm relatively devoid of ideas

Please keep responses sensible please.... thanks for your help!

The Big Red Button

There's an 'Oulwans 'n' Oulfellas' forum that might be of use for suggestions (don't let the name put you off! )

amdublin

You could also post in the west Dublin forums...

What about an evening class in one of the community schools e.g flower arranging?

kennM

chatterpillar wrote: »

There's an 'Oulwans 'n' Oulfellas' forum that might be of use for suggestions (don't let the name put you off! )

Wasn't sure the honest, name kind of put me off.... thought I might get some better suggestions in "The Ladies' Lounge" over "Oulwans 'n' Oulfellas" and Mum would never admin to be an Oulwan

Lucyfur

How +50 is she?

My mum is 60. She has joined the local active age group. She's a good bit younger than everyone else but she loves it. They go on trips once a month and she really looks forward to them.

She has also started playing bowls every week with a retirement group. It's great company for her.

confusticated

My nan is in her 70s and plays pitch and putt, bowls, bridge and 45 - she's impossible to catch at home in the evenings! Would your mam be interested in cards? Nan has lots of friends at bridge and 45, they give each other spins in and out to it and it's really sociable.

kennM

Lucyfur wrote: »

How +50 is she?

My mum is 60. She has joined the local active age group. She's a good bit younger than everyone else but she loves it. They go on trips once a month and she really looks forward to them.

She has also started playing bowls every week with a retirement group. It's great company for her.

50+ universal social charge but still south of 70 ..... if I'm to believe the candles on the birthday cake she's still 21! confused, I'm 35

confusticated wrote: »

My nan is in her 70s and plays pitch and putt, bowls, bridge and 45 - she's impossible to catch at home in the evenings! Would your mam be interested in cards? Nan has lots of friends at bridge and 45, they give each other spins in and out to it and it's really sociable.

Unfortunately medical conditions, she's not too great for any length on her feet. I think she tried bridge once and just didn't really get it.... not sure if she'd like it or not..... just thought of bingo tho! thx for the inspiration

Equality

You need to find something that she would like to do, and then try to remove the obvious barriers (like transport).

My mum loved the library. The Ilac centre library in Dublin city centre is easy to get to, and sometimes has activities. Some of the other libraries have things like a knitting group, a book club or a history society. These are all things that you can do sitting down, which can suit the older person. Sometimes you need to go with the older person the first few times, and then once they get to like it and make friends, they will go on their own.

There were some groups offering IT classes, to teach older people how to access the internet, this was/is heavily subsidised, costing 20 euro per person.

Day or evening classes through the VEC or university are also great. Most are not too expensive.

I have managed to get a few older ladies to go to university full time - they are eligible for free fees, as they have never been to university. In the past, it was a great way to supplement the widows pension, as they got the student grant. I think this has been stopped, but it is still a great and free way to access a new circle of friends and a gym/library/computers...

Fluorescence

My Nana is almost 80 and impossible to find at home most evenings! She's pretty involved with the local ICA (look up your nearest one) and there's a great age range there - youngest is mid-30s oldest is mid-80s. They're always going away on trips, organising various workshops for craft stuff (flower arranging, card-making, painting, irish dancing :P). Definitely one to look into!

Also see if there's any good adult classes on nearby (not necessarily evenings either if she's not working).

Tigger99

Also try meetup.com they've a few meetups for women aged 50+

Btw fair play op, its lovely to see that you are looking out for your mam like you are

liliq

+1 on the book club idea! I think some bookshops run them.
Stitch and bitch, maybe some volunteer groups?
A course is a great idea too, if she chose one she was interested in she already has something in common with the other people there.

looksee

I told them it wasn't a good name for the forum...no I didn't, don't mind the name, the Oulwans and Oulfellas just don't take themselves too seriously. And the age range starts a good bit below 50 and wanders up from there.

Anyway you seem to be getting some good replies here .

sillymoo

Maybe get in touch with ALONE or Age Action? These voluntary groups help enable the older person and get them involved in their local communities. They organise social events etc. It's not just for people who are "alone". These organisations are a mine of information.

Equality

If she has a friend (or you) to go with her, she is much more likely to socialise.

One pal of mine who lives near her elderly mum drives her mum and a neighbour to bingo. She goes off shopping (she can't stand bingo) and then drives them home. If the neighbour is not available she has to go to the bingo, even though she hates it, because her mom won't go on her own.

Sorcha16

At the risk of sounding rude, have you asked your Mum what she might like to do or know what her interests are? It might be a little easier to narrow it down once you've received some input from the lady herself

kennM

Sorcha16 wrote: »

At the risk of sounding rude, have you asked your Mum what she might like to do or know what her interests are? It might be a little easier to narrow it down once you've received some input from the lady herself

No offence taken Sorcha.... she's been in a rut for a fair few years and just devoid of ideas and doesn't really know whats out there, getting some great idea thx to posts!

up for anything

A friend's mother started this group in Dublin a few years ago for 50+ women to go out and do things together. It's really taken off and they have a great time.

http://www.meetup.com/Over-50-s-Women-Looking-for-New-Friends/

This next link is a breakaway group from that for both men and women so maybe a bit of romance if fancied but otherwise friendship.

http://www.meetup.com/circle50/


I have to say I'm a bit miffed about being thrown into the senior category age wise though. :eek:

poeticseraphim

kennM wrote: »

Good evening all,

Had a good dig through all the forums and I suspect this may be close to the most appropriate forum to pop this into. I'm writing on behalf of my Mum, lets just leave her in the 50+ category : )

She lives in West Dublin and I'd like to identify some activities that could be involving and enjoyable for her. Unfortunately she's not in the best of health but very sociable etc.

This isn't a lonely hearts ad or anything of the nature. Any thoughts, recommendations, places to check out for seniors events/activities would be fantastic. My thoughts are along the lines of book club or something of that nature but I'm relatively devoid of ideas

Please keep responses sensible please.... thanks for your help!

My Mum is a bit younger and does crochet...and some knitting and there are LOTS of knitting groups all around DUB....she goes to maybe two or three a week..they accept all levels...some groups might be in a hotel ..some in someones house etc

There are boo clubs too....but i think the knitting crochet one is good because people talk about themselves...not the boo

It is usually all ages.....

Teyla Emmagan

Stuff my Mam does: Golf, bridge, book club, night course (an interest thing out in NUIM), lots of walking. She's out every night of the week - the bridge in particular could become a full time pursuit if your mother was willing to give it another go. And there's a great social scene with it. And it's really cheap.

Madam_X

Lovely thread!

My mum is 65 and is learning a language. She also does book club. And she visits a lady whose husband is ill so she can't get out. Maybe if your mother found out about people in the area who are in situations like this and might like a visit. My mum found out about this woman via other people - didn't know her before that. Now a group of them visit her weekly and she loves it.

Lucyfur

Madam_X wrote: »

Lovely thread!

My mum is 65 and is learning a language. She also does book club. And she visits a lady whose husband is ill so she can't get out. Maybe if your mother found out about people in the area who are in situations like this and might like a visit. My mum found out about this woman via other people - didn't know her before that. Now a group of them visit her weekly and she loves it.

That's a brilliant idea. I know someone who does similar.

syjg18

I think your mom can do aerobics and ballroom dancing.

beltzar

My mother (73 I think) joined the local active retirement which is great.

Some of the activities include Bowls, Bingo, day trips, cruises overseas and she is really enjoying it (especially for the company).

Also, I try to get her out once a month to the theatre or an art exhibition. Generally I find something I like to do, give her a ring and see if she would be interested. So far, we've gone to the opera, ballet, an art exhibition, local garden centre, try new restaurants for lunch. I find that if we try to experience something new together it works for both of us. We also go to Chapters bookshop in Dublin and spend an hour or so book browsing. And then about twice a year we spend the day in Dublin. Some of the "outings" work, sometimes they dont.


The only downside is that the onus is on me all the time to try and find something different.... Take a look at culture fox. I'm not sure what the web address is as I have the app on my phone.

Not sure if that helps.

kennM

beltzar wrote: »

My mother (73 I think) joined the local active retirement which is great.

Some of the activities include Bowls, Bingo, day trips, cruises overseas and she is really enjoying it (especially for the company).

Also, I try to get her out once a month to the theatre or an art exhibition. Generally I find something I like to do, give her a ring and see if she would be interested. So far, we've gone to the opera, ballet, an art exhibition, local garden centre, try new restaurants for lunch. I find that if we try to experience something new together it works for both of us. We also go to Chapters bookshop in Dublin and spend an hour or so book browsing. And then about twice a year we spend the day in Dublin. Some of the "outings" work, sometimes they dont.


The only downside is that the onus is on me all the time to try and find something different.... Take a look at culture fox. I'm not sure what the web address is as I have the app on my phone.

Not sure if that helps.

Thanks you so much, yes it does really help! and credit to you for being so considerate and active with your Mum! well done you.