Hooray for spring! Getting outside and enjoying the warmer weather is a great way for seniors to get some exercise, spend time together with family and have a better quality of life overall.
“After a long, cold winter, spring is the perfect time for seniors and their caregivers to reinvigorate their schedule and put healthy practices into place,” says Michelle Pelham, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua, a memory care assisted living community in Nashua, NH. “Being outside has many health benefits, plus it’s great fun – especially in the spring when flowers are in bloom, animals are active and the weather is warm.”
Recent studies have shown that being outside improves the well-being and health of seniors. According to research, seniors who spend ample time in green spaces (like parks or the woods) enjoy increased feelings of renewal and connectedness. This results in increased activity, which helps improve mental and physical health along with a more positive mindset overall.
As the season turns, here are five ways you or a senior loved one can experience some springtime fun.
1. How does your garden grow?
Gardening is one of the most popular outdoor activities for seniors – and everyone else, as it turns out. Nearly 77 percent of Americans garden and spent $47.8 billion in 2018 to beautify their lawns and flower beds (not to mention their food gardens). Springtime is the perfect time to grab your gloves and get back to the garden, because it’s time to clean out the beds from winter’s weeds and get ready for blooming bulbs and sprouting seedlings.
Research has shown that gardening is just as enjoyable and even more relaxing than other hobbies – probably because of the sense of satisfaction that comes from seeing your hard work repaid in gorgeously blooming plants. It’s also a great form of low-impact exercise for seniors, particularly if “regular” exercise isn’t always possible. Gardening provides light aerobic activity, mobility and flexibility opportunities and also stimulates all the senses – keeping minds engaged and helping stave off cognitive decline.
2. Think I’ll go for a walk outside now…
Walking is one of the easiest, cheapest and best exercises that a senior can do – and it’s a great thing to start up in the springtime. Now that the weather’s warming up (but not overly hot, like it is in summer), the ground has thawed and sidewalks are again clear, seniors can reap the benefits of a daily walk in the morning or after dinner. Walking is a good cardiovascular exercise and allows you to get fresh air without having to invest in any special equipment or clothes. It also helps with mobility and balance, which will help older individuals prevent falls and improve bone health. Before you head off on a hike or jaunt, be sure that you have a pair of sturdy, comfortable shoes so you don’t develop blisters or face other feet-related issues.
3. Take a “flight” of fancy.
Birdwatching is a very popular activity for seniors because it’s calming, engages the mind and requires little in the way of physical effort. Seniors who are more active and want to connect with nature can head out to a nature preserve or other location to view migratory birds and other wildlife. However, seniors who aren’t able to get out of the house as much can still enjoy bird watching by putting up a feeder outside the window. There’s something very soothing about watching our little feathered friends flit about. Birdwatching engages all the senses and can be very soothing and therapeutic – even if you’re simply sitting quietly on your porch.
4. Let’s go fly a kite…
Springtime is the perfect opportunity to get outside for a variety of fun and games. Pull that old kite out of the attic and feel like a kid again. If there’s a local fishing spot, grab your gear for a friendly competition to see who can catch the biggest fish in the pond! Do a bean bag toss or play catch with a light ball and relive childhood memories. Or simply bring your favorite pastimes outside – play your favorite board game or crochet a blanket in the warmth of the sun.
5. Pack and picnic.
Pack a picnic lunch filled with springtime fruits and snacks and head to a local park – or even just your own back yard! Getting outside helps seniors stay active, get a good dose of Vitamin D, and have all their senses stimulated. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather – wear a light jacket and layers that can be added or shed depending on how hot it gets – wear sunscreen and be sure to take a bottle of water with you. Spring is a magical time of year, so get out there and enjoy everything it has to offer!
A Fulfilling Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua provides expert memory care within an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity, independence and fulfilment in daily life.
Dedicated Memory Care
Our programs, care and services are all designed to celebrate our residents’ lives and support each resident’s individual strengths and abilities. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, our memory care professionals work to maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents every day.
Stunning, Purpose-Built Design
Featuring a stunning, purposeful design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Nashua is so much more than a beautiful place to live . . . It’s a community focused on enriching the lives of our residents and helping their families enjoy meaningful relationships with them. Our evidence-based design features, including soft paint colors, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life stations, provide a soothing and easy-to-navigate environment.
Contact us today to learn more.