Wondering what to do this summer? You don’t have to spend it holed up in your senior living home or apartment! There are lots of wonderful hot-weather activities for seniors. Here are our top 5 summer activities for seniors.
1. Swimming or Water Aerobics
Swimming isn’t just one of the best exercises for seniors, it’s also one of the best summer activities for older adults. It’s a great way to get some low-impact movement in while staying cool. Swimming is also a fun social activity. You could even try taking a water aerobics class to get to know some new people while staying cool in the water!
2. Go on a Picnic
There are endless benefits of nature for seniors, including mental health benefits and a Vitamin D boost, but getting outside can be difficult when the weather is scorching. A picnic is a fun, easy way to experience the outdoors, even in the heat. Choose a shady spot, perhaps at a local park, and bring some cool drinks, sandwiches, and whatever else you’d like. Add to the fun by inviting your significant other, friends, or loved ones–grandchildren love picnics at the park! Just make sure to wear sunscreen, or protect your skin from damaging rays with long sleeves and a sun hat. If it’s very hot where you live, try freezing some water bottles and bringing them along. They work great as cold packs while frozen, and then double as deliciously cold drinks when they’ve started to melt.
3. Fishing
Fishing can be a wonderfully relaxing activity. It gets you outdoors, includes light physical activity, and can even be helpful in reducing anxiety. Avoid the intense heat of midday by going in the morning or evening. If you eat the fish you catch, fish is also a great source of protein with omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for your overall physical and mental health. If arthritis is keeping you from fishing, check out these adaptive fishing rods. Even people in wheelchairs can still fish with a fishing pole holder for wheelchairs.
4. Visit Museums
If it’s just too hot to get outside where you live, museums are a great alternative. They are always temperature-controlled, yet still offer a way to expand your horizons and experience new things. Check out a new museum or your community, or travel to a museum you’ve always wanted to visit! Creating and experiencing art can even be helpful for brain health as you age.
5. Try Bird Watching
Birdwatching is a flexible, fun summer hobby. You can do it outside, while hiking or camping, or even indoors from a large window. It’s also great for people with mobility challenges, because being still is actually an advantage when it comes to seeing local wildlife! If you’ve never tried birdwatching before, learning a new skill is a great way to keep your brain sharp. Check out a guide to birdwatching here.
Stellar Living hopes these 5 top summer activities for seniors give you some ideas of ways to stay safe, active, and have fun this summer!
