Posted on May 13, 2020 in Senior Activities
If you’re searching for fresh ideas to keep your senior loved ones mentally stimulated and inspired, have you ever considered podcasts?
If you didn’t already know, podcasts are series of spoken-word episodes you can download to a device like a smartphone, tablet, or laptop then play at a later date.
Just like books and radio, podcasts cover a vast range of topics. Whatever your elderly loved one’s interests, you should find a podcast to match.
Podcasts are great for seniors because it’s easy for them to fall asleep listening to the radio and miss their favorite program. The on-demand nature of podcasts, by contrast, means they’ll never miss anything.
You might be surprised to know that more elderly people are using smartphones. In fact, 67% of seniors use the internet, so it’s worth looking into some podcasts for your senior loved one.
Life can get pretty slow and boring when the world is self-isolating in quarantine. We need to draw on as many resources as possible to keep seniors inspired, educated, and entertained.
Podcasts are a wonderful way for seniors to travel without needing to leave home. They can put on some headphones or the loudspeaker, sit back, and find themselves transported to another world. And let’s face it, we could all use some escapism right now!
Today, we’ve curated a selection of podcasts we feel are all senior-friendly. Themes range from economics and history to quiz shows, comedies, and current affairs.
If you don’t see anything that piques your interest, a simple online search should yield plenty more options for your elderly loved ones.
You can listen to podcasts by downloading Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher to your device.
You then either click on a link from a website, or search for specific podcasts within the player you’re using.
You can download multiple podcasts and save them to enjoy any time you want some entertainment.
So, you should now be clear on what podcasts are, and how to find and use them.
We’ll get right down to business with a snapshot of the best podcasts for seniors.
After all these years, seniors have a lot of information stored up there. Keeping the brain active and stimulated is crucial in the golden years.
Quiz shows are always a hit with elderly people, and they’re great for practicing memory recall, too.
Good Job, Brain was started by four trivia-loving friends back in 2011. The podcast won the award for Best Games and Hobbies in the Stitcher Awards in 2013.
This radio theater podcast covers many genres including film noir, comedies, musicals and historical adaptations.
Find hundreds of episodes read aloud by famous actors and actresses. Seniors will love listening to their favorite stars of the past reading radio adaptations of films.
The first Lux Radio episode was Morocco read by Marlene Dietrich and Clark Gable.
Freakonomics started life as an article in the New York Times. It proved so popular, it evolved into a bestselling book and also a radio show. Now, you can find thousands of recorded shows that can be downloaded as podcasts.
Freakonomics gives quirky and interesting insights on global economics. It’s good to challenge the brain and think about things from different viewpoints.
There are hundreds of interviews with intellectuals, Nobel laureates, and other key thinkers.
You can visit the archive here.
If your elderly loved one is a history buff, they’ll love this podcast.
History shows provide a great opportunity for seniors to reminisce which can stimulate and entertain them.
Stuff You Missed In History is presented by two female history lovers covering upbeat and entertaining historical topics from The History of Beekeeping to Isaac Newton’s Year of Wonders.
You can access the podcasts here.
If your senior loves cars and also loves to laugh, Car Talk is an amusing series featuring two brothers who call themselves Click and Clack, the Tappet brothers.
The brothers take calls from people who are having problems with their cars. The presenters are witty and entertaining, making gags and wisecracks.
Car Talk is well worth investigating for some light entertainment. You can access it here.
Wordies will love The Allusionist as it’s all about language. The shows cover topics about words and about how we choose and use them. Hosts discuss the origin of slang words and other topics like handwriting analysis.
Wordy seniors will find this podcast fascinating.
Science Friday –Sci Fri, as it’s sometimes called – is presented by award-winning scientist Ira Flatow and covers topics about science, technology and nature.
The show consists of fascinating interviews with scientists and policy-makers. They also take calls from listeners.
This podcast is highly informative and well-presented. It’s broadcast every Wednesday but you can catch up on episodes here.
Hearing about life in prison can be fascinating as it’s a world that most of us will never encounter. Ear Hustle is produced at San Quentin prison by two former inmates and artist. In 2016, it won the Radiotopia podcast competition.
Ear Hustle is prison slang for eavesdropping. The show gives listeners the opportunity to eavesdrop on prison life. From solitary confinement and gangs to cell mates and pets in jail, Ear Hustle is a thrilling glimpse into a dark world.
Hearing stories about how entrepreneurs went from rags to riches is always inspiring. The presenter Guy Raz interviews various highly successful individuals as they talk about how they got started and how they ascended from there.
You can download episodes here.
We hope you’ll find some of these podcast suggestions useful.
Your elderly loved ones can pop their headphones on whenever they want and relax with a cup of tea or coffee or listen while they potter around their home. We think these podcasts will keep them entertained for quite some time!
Don’t forget to bookmark our blog. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team at Landmark Senior Living.
