Even as people’s needs and abilities change due to aging and illness, they still enjoy being engaged and having fun. If you’re spending time with an elder this summer, consider this list of fun summer activities for seniors that just about anyone in the family can do.
Tips for Optimum Fun
Keep in mind that while these are meant for people of all ages so that the whole family can participate, an elder should not be treated like or spoken to as if they are a child.
Stimulation can be helpful to a person with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, so don’t leave them out of the fun
Keep safety in mind as the very young and elderly can be more vulnerable to heat and sun exposure. We’ve put together some additional tips for summer safety here.
Better Together
Companionship and socializing are important parts of life, even having the potential to improve a person’s health. An article by the American Psychological Association states, “studies found that adult friendships, especially high-quality ones that provide social support and companionship, significantly predict well-being and can protect against mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.”
In contrast, this same source notes that, “People with no friends or poor-quality friendships are twice as likely to die prematurely.”
When looking at activity ideas, consider those which can be shared together to make them more meaningful for everyone involved.
Summer Activity Ideas for Seniors
- Sign up for water aerobics or another type of water exercise class. This activity is a way to meet new people, stay fit, and get out (maybe even outside, depending on local pool options) of the house for a little bit.
- Have a picnic—either in the backyard or at a favorite local park. When you add food to the activity menu, it gives an elder family member a chance to reminisce about preferred dishes, maybe share a recipe, and educate others about their history.
- Create backyard games. Remember water balloons? How about bowling? These activities don’t have to include the risk of say, a three-legged race or potato sack race, and can be done from the comfort of a shaded lounge chair. One example, spend time filling some water ballons together, then set out three buckets and assign a point system. Another suggestion is to set up some small plastic bottles and use a plastic ball to knock them down. There are many possibilities!
- Get musical! If you’re musically inclined, you could play a little concert in the backyard by strumming your guitar or singing a tune. For the rest of you, look into local outdoor concerts and make plans to attend one.
- Visit a museum, which could have the benefit of air-conditioning as well as interesting historical or artistic sights to see and discuss.
- Go for a walk or join a local walking club that meets regularly. This could become a scheduled routine that can be counted on and looked forward to daily, weekly or monthly. When the weather isn’t cooperating—too hot or rain in the forecast—seek places to walk indoors such as a mall.
- Local animal shelters are often looking for volunteers who can come to the facility and walk dogs on their property or just visit with the animals waiting for adoption. This is a good way to experience pets without the responsibility and cost of having your own.
- Gardening can be a light workout and a truly rewarding experience. It can be a partner activity with one person doing more of the labor and the other the planning. No yard? A small container garden is perfect on a balcony or windowsill. Some people love plants but not gardening so a trip to a botanical garden can provide the sensory experience of touch and smell too.
- Try a new hobby—or two or more! Start with bird watching and then see if that leads to photography or an interest or class in building bird houses. Maybe sign up for a watercolor class to paint some birds. One thing can lead to another when you are open to trying new things together.
- Take a road trip, which could just be one day or include a couple of nights staying someplace new. Summer can be the perfect time to drive to the seashore or go up in the mountains to soak up the scenery, maybe share memories of other trips.
Homewatch CareGivers and Companion Care
A professional caregiver can be part of these summer activities—from providing safe, reliable transportation to a class or by running errands such as picking up plants at the garden center. Find the Homewatch CareGivers in your area to learn more about companion care.
You can also modify this to be a list of summer activities for seniors with dementia and make it indoor summer activities for seniors with some exceptions.
