Cognitive Health and Senior Citizens
August 18, 2021Why Should You Volunteer At a Senior Living Community?
October 26, 2021Fun Activities for Senior Adults in the Fall Season
Autumn is here! It’s the time of year when leaf colors begin to change, the weather turns cooler, the days grow shorter, and all the fun fall festivities are right around the corner. As with every other season of the year, it’s important to find activities for seniors to enjoy all the fun things that come with this time of year.
Just because they are older doesn’t mean seniors no longer want to enjoy all things Fall, like pumpkin patches, hayrides, Halloween, and pumpkin spice everything! If you’re struggling to find ideas to keep your senior loved one active and engaged this fall season, we have created a list below of activities for all abilities. These ideas promote both mental and physical activity, socialization, and provide lots of opportunities to spend time with your senior loved one.
- Get outside!
In the hottest part of summer, many seniors find it much more difficult to comfortably be outside for an extended period of time. As temperatures begin to drop, time outdoors can be a much more enjoyable experience.
Walking is a free way to get your senior loved one outside, and has many proven health benefits as well. For those who require assistance with walking, there are many public parks that offer paved trails where a walker or wheelchair can easily be used. Walking around the neighborhood is also a free and easy way to enjoy the weather and the great outdoors.
If your senior loved one is unable to travel to a nearby park, sitting outside when the weather is nice is a good option. Why not pack a lunch and share a yummy pumpkin spice latte to celebrate the fall season?
- Make Fall and Halloween decorations
Decorating is always a great way to set the mood and celebrate any season. Your senior loved one most likely has very fond memories of decorating their home with seasonal decor every year
Creating these decorations is an affordable way to help your senior loved one feel excited about the season. Dollar stores have tons of cheap arts and crafts supplies this time of year, so you are only limited to your creativity! Even if you are not the craftiest person, you will enjoy the time spent with your senior family member.Creating homemade decorations together is a great way to bond during the fall season. Even more so when the grandkids get involved! Seniors love to reminisce, so you may hear stories from their childhoods that you’ve never heard before.
- Visit a pumpkin patch
Taking your senior loved one along on a visit with the kids to the pumpkin patch is a great way to spend quality time together as a family. It also helps to get them into the Halloween spirit.
The fun doesn’t have to stop after you’ve picked your pumpkins. Get your senior loved one involved in the pumpkin carving as well. They will enjoy watching as the grandkids get delighted with their scary pumpkin creations.
Even if your senior loved one isn’t physically capable of accompanying you to the pumpkin patch, you can still include them in the decorating process. Painting, instead of carving the pumpkins is also a great way to allow them to be involved.
- Prepare for Trick-or-Treaters
Halloween is right around the corner, and seniors always love seeing children all dressed up for the holiday. Even those in assisted living communities look forward to seeing the little ones in costume. Help them get ready for trick-or-treaters by preparing treat bags ahead of time. Assist them with shopping for candy if needed.
If your senior loved one is suffering from dementia, have them separate specific treats into bags. Not only will this help them to feel included, but it’s also a great way to stimulate the brain. - Board games and Fall themed puzzles
Playing board games is the perfect way to bond with your senior loved one on chilly autumn nights. People of all ages enjoy playing games, so you can include the grandkids as well. You can play with the entire family for a game night, or play a game one on one. These games are also a great way to stimulate mental cognition. Some great board games to play with seniors include Battleship, Chess, Checkers, Clue, and Monopoly.
Doing fall-themed puzzles is also a great way to spend time with your senior family member, and offers the same cognitive stimulation as playing board games. These themed puzzles can be put together as a family, or solo by the senior when family members aren’t able to visit.
Surprise your senior loved one with a beautiful puzzle. While you’re at it, why not bring along some tasty fall treats to enjoy while you’re putting the puzzle together?
Conclusion
We hope the list above helps to give you some ideas for fun things to do with your senior loved one this fall season. They are a great way to get in the spirit of the season, while helping to keep your senior family member happy and engaged, both mentally and physically.
Here at Terrace Ridge Assisted Living, our staff and residents are excited about the fall season. We provide planned social, cultural, and spiritual fall-themed activities for all abilities. Residents have access to a private dining space for entertaining, living areas, and conversation parlors when a larger space is needed for family activities.Terrace Ridge offers a discerning residential environment for those who, for whatever reason, should not live alone, but do not require skilled nursing care. Residents can live as independently as they wish, with the calm assurance that help is always available when they require assistance with their activities of daily living. Contact us today for more information.