Now that the warmer months are on their way, make the best of the sunny temperatures and head outdoors with your senior loved ones or cozy up inside with some calming activities. Not only are summer activities a good way to spend quality time and bond, but they also help your loved ones relax and destress. Outdoor activities expose your loved ones to much-needed sunlight, which is a crucial source of vitamin D essential to the proper functioning of cognitive abilities, bone strength, and muscles. Soaking in the rays of the sun and inhaling some fresh air is also an opportunity to socialize with other older adults. Likewise, indoor activities can also provide mental stimulation while simultaneously lifting one’s spirits. Below are some summer activities for your loved ones that you can consider trying out!
Fishing
First and foremost is fishing! This activity is great all year round, but it is exceptionally wonderful during the summertime when the sun is shining. You and your loved ones can cast your fishing rods into the water, and sit back and relax on a dock or pier. This is a suitable activity for older adults as it is not overly strenuous. Even if your loved one is physically disabled or less mobile, fishing is still an activity that they can take part in. Simply find a body of water near you that offers suitable terrain for wheelchairs. However, do be sure to check that the location you are fishing at is a fishing compliant location!
Go for A Picnic
Yet another activity that is perfect for the summer months is going on a picnic. Bringing your loved ones out helps them feel more in touch with nature, and is a peaceful and serene option. Picnics are also easy to plan, and not too taxing. Your loved ones can enjoy all the goodness that nature has to offer while sitting on a picnic mat. It is also easy to pack suitable meals for the picnic, hence relieving you the worry and anxiety of finding elder-friendly nutritious options outdoors. Some options include sandwiches, fruits, and even delectable sweet treats like sugar-free cookies. Make sure that you find a suitable spot for your picnic, and select an area that is shady and not too hot.
Cook A Meal Together
Cooking can be a therapeutic and cathartic activity for your loved ones to indulge in. Perhaps you can purchase some fresh produce from your local market and help your loved one whip up a feast! Not only is this a healthier and more nutritious option than pre-packaged meals, but it also instills a sense of purpose and independence in your loved one. And, what is best is, at the end of it all, you have a tasty and rewarding meal to tuck into!
Enjoy A Good Book
Another activity that is fantastic during the summer seasons is reading. Your loved ones can read outdoors and indulge in a good old story! Reading has been known to stimulate the brain and can help to combat memory loss and ailments such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. Reading also requires focus, which has been shown to increase attention span, help pass time, and even brightens one’s mood and disposition. If your loved one struggles to read due to small font sizes, you can consider purchasing books with larger fonts or letting them try out audiobooks.
So, what are you waiting for? Make the very best of the warm temperatures and weather and plan out some fun and engaging activities for you and your loved ones to do together!
