Summer Fun with an Aging Loved One

Now That Summer is Finally Here, It’s a Great Opportunity to Have Some Summer Fun!

It is official: Summer has begun! For an aging loved one, summer is an ideal time to get outside, get some fresh air, and do some fun summer activities like talking walks, birdwatching, and going to an outdoor music concert.

Because winters can be isolating with cold, snowy weather that prevents seniors from getting outside, it is important for caregivers and families to take advantage of the warmer weather and help the senior be active. It probably goes without saying how important exercise and time outside breathing in fresh air is to someone’s physical well-being, but it is equally important for their mental and emotional health. Being outside, enjoying the sunshine and the company of others can do a world of good to boost a senior’s mood. And a happier mood and positive outlook can lead to a longer and healthier life.

For a fun-filled and memorable summer with your aging loved one, consider these Summer Fun Tips:

• Go for a walk. Many counties in Illinois have forest preserves with dedicated walking paths. Even a walk around the neighborhood can be enjoyable to a senior.
• If the senior enjoys birds, why not venture down to Chicago’s new Nature Boardwalk by the Lincoln Park Zoo and enjoy the birds and geese that call the area home, which is also teeming with frogs, herons, and dragonflies, as well as native grasses and wildflowers. There is also a bird sanctuary a little north of the zoo at Montrose Point.
• Enjoy the roses and flowers at the Chicago Botanical Garden, which also has free outdoor concerts on Tuesday evenings during the summer. Can’t make it on a Tuesday? No problem. The Botanical Garden has extended hours in the summer each night, staying open until 9 p.m. and serving food on their outdoor patio.
• If a rainy day occurs, as they do in the summer, you can spend part of the day helping the senior Skype with their children and grandkids. Skype is a great and low-cost way for a senior to stay connected to long-distance loved ones.

Do be mindful of summer heat. With hotter temperatures in July and August, dehydration can be a serious threat to a senior. Make sure the senior drinks adequate amounts of water to stay hydrated. Fruits and vegetables with high water content such as cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, peaches, grapes, and watermelon can also be a way to keep the senior hydrated. And on extremely hot days, try to go outside early in the morning or in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

For more geriatric care tips and advice, e-mail me at PMenoni@PartnersInSeniorCare.com or call me at 866-203-7290. I would love to hear from you.

Trisha