The end of summer is bittersweet. On one hand, those warm sunny days are becoming few and far between. On the other hand, you have the beauty of changing leaves and autumn scenery to look forward to. Of course, you’ll have to change up some of your activities when visiting your senior parents in their assisted living community.
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Fall into these fun seasonal activities with your loved one:
Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Orchard
A tradition revered by many families, visiting a pumpkin patch or apple orchard is a great activity with your senior loved one. Many are open after Labor Day, so now is the perfect time to start planning a day trip to one of these locations. Not only does it give you a chance to spend more time with your parent, but also, between corn mazes and apple picking, your kids will enjoy the experience, too. Walking along the acres of land is also great for seniors, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Researchers found that seniors who engaged in an exercise regimen that involved daily walking over two years were 28 percent less likely to become disabled than those who did not partake in physical activity. Strolling through a pumpkin patch can help your senior loved one maintain independence. Those with limited mobility, such as seniors who use wheelchairs or walkers, can also get in on the fun. Many orchards have fall hay rides, so your parent can explore the grounds from the comfort of a trailer.
Fall is a great time to enjoy apple orchards.
Knit Your Way to Winter
Is your senior loved one handy with a ball of yarn? Spend an afternoon knitting or crocheting. Fall is the launching point for the cold days of winter, so it’s best to be prepared with as many homemade hats and scarves as possible. Beyond giving you and your parent an afternoon activity, knitting can provide therapeutic benefits, too. One study evaluated the effects of knitting on patients with anorexia. Researchers found that knitting was calming for participants, and the crafters felt a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride with their projects.
Craft With the Kids
You’d be hard-pressed to find a grandparent who didn’t enjoy spending time with the little ones. Crafting provides entertainment for both seniors and grandchildren. Consider setting up a day to create fall art projects at your senior loved one’s retirement community. The personalized mug is a great option. After all, what senior couldn’t use another “#1 Grandparent” gift?
For this craft, you need white ceramic or porcelain mugs, different colored permanent markers (including red, orange, brown, and green if you are going for a fall theme), and an oven. You draw designs with the markers directly on the cups and let the ink dry overnight. Then, take the cups home and bake them in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, take them out and let them cool. The designs should permanently adhere to the mugs, even after throwing them in the dishwasher (top shelf).
