Summer is finally here and it allows seniors in assisted living to engage in activities that the cooler and wetter months prohibit.
Here are seven popular summer activities for seniors in assisted living communities to take part in.
Assisted Living Summer Activities for Seniors
Read our list of some of the many summer activities that seniors can have fun and stay busy doing during the warmer months:
1. Barbecues
What would summer be without barbecues? Barbecues are a popular summer time activity at assisted living communities, and residents are welcome to bring their family and friends. Eldorado Heights in Klamath Falls, Oregon is just one of countless communities that have barbecues throughout the warmer months.
2. Croquet
South Pointe Assisted Living in Everett, Washington, is just one of many communities with the popular game croquet. Seniors can enjoy some friendly competition while getting fresh air and some sun (and thus vitamin D).
3. Fantastic Field Trips
There’s no better time than summer for field trips and outings to local landmarks, both natural and man-made. Farmer’s markets are always a favorite. Each summer, residents of Cedars Assisted Living in Dartmouth, Massachusetts go on a cruise to Cape Cod. Residents at the Cedars don’t only get to enjoy the field trips, in the summer they also enjoy observing the many hummingbirds that frequent the feeders and wild turkeys that roam the grounds.
4. Fishing
Some senior communities have beach access or a stocked lake or pond right on their grounds which allows seniors to engage in a favorite summer pastime: fishing. Emeritus at Beckett Lake in Clearwater, Florida is directly adjacent to Beckett Lake and residents have access to a fishing dock and other lakeside amenities.
5. Gardening
Gardening is a much beloved activity by seniors, and the sun brings the green-thumbs out of their residences en masse. Almost all senior communities accommodate gardens. For example, Eden Rock Assisted Living in Wilmington, Delaware provides raised garden beds for their residents to grow herbs, vegetables and whatever else they might fancy.
6. Swimming
At communities with outdoor pools, there’s no better way to cool off than to take a dip. We all know it can get hot in Texas. Residents at Adante Assisted Living in San Antonio love to cool off in the summer in their outdoor pool, which is always a perfect temperature.
7. Walking
Many assisted living communities are built on large grounds with significant acreage. They put this space to use by providing scenic walking trails to senior residents in a secure, gated setting where their safety is assured. One example is La Posada at Parke Centre Green Valley, in Green Valley, Arizona. It has 4 miles of walking trails on its 110 acre campus!
Of course, this is just a small sampling of all the summer activities that go on at assisted and senior living communities across the U.S.
Do you have any other summer activities for seniors that you’d like added to this list? We’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below.
