25 Activity Survey Questions for Seniors to Boost Engagement
Discover 28 essential activity survey questions for seniors to uncover preferences across fitness, social, cognitive, tech, and creative pursuits.
Activity Survey Questions For Seniors template
Introduction
Understanding the preferences and needs of older adults is essential for creating engaging and supportive environments. Activity surveys for seniors serve as valuable tools to uncover these insights, enabling organizations to tailor programs that enhance well-being and foster community connections. Whether it's a retirement community, a home-care agency, or a local park-and-rec department, implementing a senior engagement questionnaire can provide actionable data to improve services.
Physical Activity Survey Questions for Seniors
Why & When to Use This Survey
Assessing physical activity levels is crucial for developing fitness programs that are both safe and enjoyable. Conducting an elderly activity assessment at program intake, during quarterly wellness checks, or after rehabilitation transitions ensures that activities align with individual capabilities and interests.
Sample Questions
- How many days per week do you engage in moderate physical activities such as brisk walking or swimming?
- Which types of exercise equipment (e.g., resistance bands, stationary bike) do you feel comfortable using?
- What physical limitations or health conditions make exercise challenging for you?
- At what time of day do you prefer to participate in fitness classes?
- On a scale of 1–5, how safe do you feel when exercising without supervision?
The CHAMPS Physical Activity Questionnaire effectively assesses weekly frequency and duration of various physical activities in older adults. (cadc.ucsf.edu)
Create your survey, it's 100% free
Creating a survey with HeySurvey to gather activity survey questions for seniors is a breeze, even if you’re new to the platform. Just follow these three simple steps:
Step 1: Create a New Survey
Start by logging into HeySurvey or simply visit the site to begin without an account. Click Create New Survey, and you can either choose a relevant template for seniors’ activities or start from scratch with a blank survey. Naming your survey something clear (e.g., “Senior Engagement Questionnaire”) helps keep things organized.
Step 2: Add Your Questions
Now it’s time to add those insightful questions! Click Add Question to start building your form. You can choose from various question types such as multiple choice, scales, or text input. Type in your activity-related questions—whether about physical activity, social engagement, or tech use—and customize options easily. You can even add images or descriptions to make questions clearer and more engaging for seniors.
Step 3: Publish Your Survey
Once you’re happy with the questions and layout, hit Preview to see how it looks for respondents. Tweak the design if needed using the Designer Sidebar for fonts, colors, or one-question-per-page layouts. When ready, click Publish—note you’ll need an account to do this—and grab the sharable link. Now you’re set to distribute the survey via email, website, or paper formats!
Bonus Step: Apply Branding
Want your survey to reflect your organization’s personality? Upload your logo and customize colors in the Branding Settings to create a professional and welcoming look.
Bonus Step: Define Survey Settings
Set start/end dates, response limits, or even a custom “thank you” redirect URL in the Settings Panel to control how and when your survey is available.
Bonus Step: Use Branching to Personalize Flow
For a more tailored experience, employ branching rules so respondents only see questions relevant to their previous answers—keeping the survey focused and friendly.
Ready to jump in? Start by opening a tailored Senior Activity Survey Template with the button below and create your own insightful questionnaire in minutes!
Social & Recreational Activity Survey Questions
Why & When to Use This Survey
Identifying social isolation risks and preferred group activities is vital for enhancing community engagement. Issuing this survey during new-resident orientations, seasonal calendar planning, or after significant life changes (e.g., loss of a spouse) can help tailor social programs that meet residents' needs.
Sample Questions
- Which group activities (card games, dance nights, book clubs) interest you the most?
- How satisfied are you with your current level of social interaction?
- How often would you attend off-site outings such as museum visits or theater shows?
- What transportation challenges, if any, prevent you from joining social events?
- Would you like to be paired with an activity buddy or mentor?
A multi-site study found that immersive virtual reality programs can enhance social engagement among older adults, including those with cognitive impairments. (arxiv.org)
Cognitive & Mental Stimulation Activity Survey Questions
Why & When to Use This Survey
Tailoring brain-boosting programs like memory workshops or language classes requires understanding residents' cognitive interests and goals. Deploying this survey at the start of enrichment programs and annually for long-term care residents helps track cognitive wellness and adjust offerings accordingly.
Sample Questions
- How interested are you in activities that challenge memory or problem-solving skills (crossword groups, chess)?
- Which of the following classes appeal to you: foreign language, computer coding basics, creative writing?
- How confident do you feel using memory aids (apps, journals) in daily life?
- Do you prefer self-paced digital games or instructor-led classes for mental workouts?
- How often would you like cognitive workshops to be offered each month?
Technology & Digital Engagement Survey Questions for Seniors
Why & When to Use This Survey
Measuring technological readiness is essential for designing digital literacy courses, telehealth rollouts, or virtual social events. Conducting this survey before investing in devices or software subscriptions ensures that technological initiatives are accessible and meet residents' needs.
Sample Questions
- Which devices do you currently use: smartphone, tablet, laptop, smart speaker?
- Rate your confidence in performing online tasks such as video calls or grocery orders.
- What online activities (virtual fitness, streaming concerts, e-learning) interest you?
- What barriers—vision issues, small keyboards, lack of Wi-Fi—limit your tech use?
- Would you attend a weekly tech support drop-in session?
Assessing seniors' digital literacy through tailored surveys is crucial for developing effective technology training programs that address their specific needs and barriers. (en.wikipedia.org)
Creative & Leisure Pursuits Survey Questions
Why & When to Use This Survey
Discovering artistic interests allows for the curation of workshops in art, music, gardening, or crafts that enhance emotional well-being. Using this survey when updating activity calendars or evaluating satisfaction with existing programs ensures that creative offerings resonate with residents.
Sample Questions
- Which creative outlets (painting, knitting, photography) would you like to explore or revisit?
- Do you prefer structured classes or casual open-studio time?
- How important is access to outdoor space for activities such as gardening or nature sketching?
- What length of session (30, 60, 90 minutes) keeps you engaged?
- Would you be interested in showcasing your work at community exhibitions?
Volunteering & Community Participation Survey Questions
Why & When to Use This Survey
Aligning seniors' skills with volunteer roles fosters purpose and intergenerational connections. Distributing this survey during community outreach drives or the kickoff of corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships helps identify and mobilize volunteers effectively.
Sample Questions
- Which causes (education, animal welfare, environmental clean-ups) resonate most with you?
- How many hours per week would you like to volunteer?
- What skills—mentoring, event planning, woodworking—can you offer?
- Would you prefer on-site, remote, or hybrid volunteer opportunities?
- What support or training would make volunteering easier for you?
Best Practices / Dos and Don’ts for Crafting Activity Surveys for Seniors
Do:
- Use age-friendly fonts, plain language, and large checkboxes to enhance readability.
- Pilot test with a small senior group to identify potential issues.
- Mix closed and open-ended questions to capture both quantitative and qualitative data.
Don’t:
- Overload with jargon or assume tech literacy; keep language simple and accessible.
- Make surveys excessively long; aim for brevity to maintain engagement.
Additional Tips:
- Optimal survey length: 10–15 minutes to respect participants' time.
- Delivery modes: Offer paper, phone, and online options to accommodate preferences.
- Incentive ideas: Provide small rewards like gift cards or recognition to encourage participation.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Implementing tailored activity surveys for seniors is a strategic move to enhance engagement and well-being. By understanding preferences across physical, social, cognitive, technological, creative, and volunteer domains, organizations can create programs that truly resonate. Ready to take the next step? Download our customizable Senior Activity Survey Template or sign up for a demo of our survey platform to start gathering valuable insights today.
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