Often seniors spend their time just getting through the day and often don’t leave the home. As a loved one, taking out the senior for some gentle fun will truly brighten up their day. Here are 8 ideas for some spring outings with seniors:
- Take a drive. It will be exciting for seniors to see how the landscape and city is changing
- Go to the zoo or aquarium. Interacting with animals and seeing younger children can often be very therapeutic.
- Go to a restaurant or for high tea. When is the last you took your elder to their favourite restaurant? Try to go at off-peak times as it will be less stressful. Seniors who are hard of hearing won’t feel as overwhelmed if there is less background noise and stimuli.
- Take them for a sweet treat! Go for an ice cream and sit out in the sun. There are so many new ice cream shops in Vancouver to satisfy cravings
- Watch children at play or in their school programs. It is fulfilling for a grandparent to watch their young grandchildren at play or involved in school programs, concerts, activities, etc. Be prepared to take the senior home in case they begin to feel uncomfortable or fatigued.
- Go for a picnic! Whether it is outside in the yard or at a park, picnics provide a bit of excitement for the elder.
- Visit the various gardens around the city and the Lower Mainland. Being in nature often has therapeutic effects in that the individual’s mental and physical state is positively affected.
- Help them visit a friend. Many seniors lose touch with their friends as sickness, difficult moving around and other things can prevent friends from seeing one another. Be the facilitator for your elder seeing an old friend they may have lost touch with or don’t have the opportunity to see as often.
Use the above ideas as springboards for outings with seniors as you know your elderly loved one best! Ask them what they miss doing and facilitate outing and activities accordingly. Involve them in the decision making process as it will empower them and make them feel more independent. Be sure to closely monitor them during the outing for weariness as aging bodies fatigue much quicker.
