Best Summer Activities for Aging Loved Ones

Does an older member of your family love to spend time outside? Summer is a time of the year that many associate with outdoor activities but the heat can cause problems for seniors. Being outside when it’s too hot out can quickly lead to dehydration and more serious issues like heat stroke or heat exhaustion. With the right preparations, however, an aging loved one can participate in family activities outside during the summer months.

Caregivers at Griswold Home Care can help seniors get out in the fresh air at times when it’s not too hot during the summer months with safe activities to keep them engaged. Getting outside with a caregiver gives seniors opportunities to interact with their neighbors and feel like a part of the community. This type of exposure can make your aging loved one feel rejuvenated to improve mental and physical well-being.

The Griswold Home Care Metrowest-Boston office has been in service to the elderly and disabled in the Natick area since 1992. We offer a variety of home care services such as companion care, homemaking care, and overnight care. All of our caregivers are employees of Griswold Home Care so you can be sure you’ll get quality care services that have set the standard for aging in place.

We understand how important it is to be active in the communities we serve. The Metrowest-Boston office has strong relationships with local businesses and senior centers so our caregivers can provide seniors with fulfilling activities close to home. Our main goal is to ensure an aging loved one is safe and well cared for. The key to successful elder care during the summer is to make sure seniors get outside in a safe way, which can include using protective clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses. Drinking plenty of water so they stay hydrated is also essential.

Here are some safe and fun summer activities a senior can participate in with a caregiver from Griswold Home Care.

• Go for a walk: A walk around the neighborhood or local park is a great way to get outside during the summer months. Coolidge Hill in Natick and Defazio Park in Needham are 2 of our favorite places to get outside when the weather’s nice. The best times for a walk outside are generally earlier in the morning (before 10am) or later in the afternoon (after 5pm) when the temperatures are cooler.

• Start a garden: Plant vegetables or flowers in raised flower beds or pots in your own backyard. Seniors with limited mobility can take part in this type of activity.

• Bird-watching: Bird-watching is a perfect summer activity because it can be done close to home and gives seniors a chance to take in their surroundings. Seeing a particular type of bird can help an elder learn new things about themselves and their environment which is key to maintaining cognitive functions. The Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick is home to over 150 species of birds and has easy-to-moderate well-groomed trails that make bird-watching something that everyone can enjoy.

• Senior Center Activities: Many local senior centers like The Center at the Heights in Needham and The Newton Senior Center offer activities for elderly members of the community on a yearly basis. Summer is a good time to participate in activities offered because it can be more enjoyable for an aging loved one to make the trip when it’s nice outside. Most senior centers host activities in rooms with air conditioning so everyone can stay cool.

A home caregiver will help make sure an aging loved one is wearing the right clothing and has enough water before participating in any of the activities listed above. In-home care services from Griswold Home Care give many families the assistance they need to keep an aging loved one at home where they’re most comfortable. We offer home care plans that can be customized with a variety of care services so your loved one can get care when they need it most.

Contact us today at (781) 559-0073 to learn more about our Home Care Services and how we can help seniors stay active during the warm summer months.