CONTACT:  Alisa Picerno, 860.869.1509; [email protected]

10 Ways for Seniors and Their Caregivers to Soak Up Some Summer Fun

-How Switching Up The Daily Routine With Enjoyable Activities Benefits Older Adults-

(CHESHIRE, Conn) – July 18, 2023 – Fun activity options for seniors and their caregivers heat up during the summer. Whether it’s enjoying the warm weather at an outdoor concert or staying cool indoors working on a favorite hobby, engaging in meaningful activities are physically, mentally and emotionally beneficial as we age, according to Connecticut senior home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc.

“Summer is the ideal time to break out of the usual routine, particularly for seniors who live alone and find it difficult to enjoy life outside of the home,” explained Mario D’Aquila, Chief Operating Officer of Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) in Cheshire and Westport. “Every town offers numerous outdoor community events that provide opportunities to socialize with old friends, connect with new people, including children, and soak up some sun.”

D’Aquila notes that in addition to having a good time, sun exposure from heading outdoors generates vitamin D, which is necessary for a healthy brain, bones, and muscles. Healthy Vitamin D levels can also improve mood and cognitive function. Older adults, especially those who are homebound, are at high risk for vitamin D insufficiency.

With plenty of time left in the summer months, D’Aquila shares 10 activities that both older adults and their caregivers will enjoy with some ideas from agingcare.com:

-Gardening – from a small container to a vegetable patch, planting flowers and plants offers daily outdoor tasks along with tracking their growth.

-Catch a Sporting Event - Attending a grandchild’s soccer game or a professional baseball game can be an action-packed way for older adults to reconnect with one of their favorite pastimes.

-Fish for Fun - Even if an elder has mobility problems or uses a wheelchair, they can still cast a rod from a dock or pier. Check your state’s tourism or parks and recreation websites to see if they provide listings of ADA compliant fishing locations. Many areas have also started offering all-terrain wheelchairs for rent that can help those with mobility issues get closer to the water.

-Be a Tourist - Take an open-air bus or trolley tour to see the local sights in the nearest city. A boat tour is also an option. A drive around town can also allow a senior to check out happenings in the community that interest them.

-Take a Dip - For some folks, this might entail putting a foot in the pool, while others may be able to handle low-impact water aerobics. If a senior is willing and able, spending some time in the pool is an excellent way for them to incorporate some physical activity into their routine that seems more like relaxing than a workout.

-Outdoor picnic - Picnics can be at a park, in your own backyard, or on the surrounding grounds of a long-term care facility. Prepare favorite recipes together. At the park, seniors can watch children run around and enjoy the buzz of outdoor activity. Make sure to locate an area with comfortable seating and plenty of shade in advance, or remember to bring an outdoor umbrella.

-Attend Community Events – Look for happenings such as outdoor musical performances, art shows, car shows, flea markets, festivals, and more that fit the senior’s interests and abilities.

-Go Out for a Treat - Most seniors have a favorite snack or restaurant that picks their spirits right up. If the weather is nice, enjoy your goodies at a patio table. Make it an adventure by creating a list of top ice cream places or dining hot spots to visit across the state throughout the summer.

-Be an Animal Lover - This could be as simple as sitting outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of a birdhouse, bird feeder, or bird bath in the yard, or it could mean an outing to the zoo or a local dog park.

-Go for a Stroll – It can be around the neighborhood or through a botanical garden. Have goal to increase and track the distance of each walk. 

“We have found in our more than 27 years of experience caring for seniors, that having someone to go on outings, take a walk, or just to talk to makes the greatest difference in the daily lives and overall physical, mental and cognitive health of our clients,” said D’Aquila. “Our caregivers provide a crucial social connection by also providing transportation to visit friends or attend religious services.”

If seniors are reluctant to go out based on concerns about falling, ALS utilizes sophisticated Personal Emergency Response Systems and other safety technological devices. Seniors can be assured that help is available at the touch of a button or devices equipped with Fall Detection can dial 911 directly. Wi-Fi location technologies enable care specialists to locate the user in an emergency.

“Taking clients shopping or to the senior center is more than getting a person from A to B safely. Great care is about providing a trusting and supportive relationship that enables elders to engage in the activities and social events they love and visiting the people and places they miss,” concludes D’Aquila.

About Assisted Living Services, Inc.

Since 1996, award-winning home care agency Assisted Living Services, Inc. (ALS) in Cheshire and Westport has provided quality care to residents across Connecticut. Their unique CarePlus program blends personal care by over 600 employees and caregivers with technological safety and monitoring devices from sister company Assisted Living Technologies, Inc. ALS was ranked on the 2020 Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing companies and recognized by Home Care Pulse® as a “Best of Home Care Leader In Excellence”, a designation given to the best home care providers in the nation. Learn more by visiting www.assistedlivingct.com or calling 203.634.8668.