It appears that spring has finally sprung! Along with spring comes longer, warmer and sunnier days and a sense of renewal and purpose. Watching flowers bloom, smelling the scent of a newly mown lawn and other benefits of spring – including no more snow – should be celebrated with your aging loved ones. We want to share how aging adults can celebrate spring.
Depression is a fact of life for many in the longer, darker and colder winter months. A syndrome called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) strikes individuals of any age, but older adults may be more acutely impacted, especially if they live alone.
How Aging Adults Can Celebrate Spring
We have put together some ways to help aging adults (whether that’s a family member or yourself) celebrate spring:
- Take a walk. Just getting out of doors and breathing in the fresh air will boost your mood.
- Sit out in the sunshine. If you can’t walk, or don’t want to take a walk, grab a chair and sit out in a sunny spot. Remember to put on sunscreen though if you’re going to be out in the sun because you don’t want to get a sunburn or damage your skin.
- Plant a garden. If you don’t have the space to plant an entire garden, go to a nursery and buy some potted flowers, herbs or vegetables. At Baldwin House Senior Living our residents grow herbs that are used in our Secret Sauce.
- Spring clean your space and your closets. It may seem like doing a chore isn’t a way to welcome spring, but swapping winter clothes for summer clothes and giving your closet and dresser drawers a once-over brings a feeling of satisfaction and also signals spring.
- Try a new spring recipe. Try cooking with herbs you’d never tried before. Cook with fresh fruits and vegetables. Plan meals around the fruits and vegetables that are in season.
- Try out a new craft. Take up a spring craft like making spring decorations, arrange artificial flowers in a pot or vase to brighten up your rooms or build and paint birdhouses.
- Go fishing, or if you’re a caregiver, take your aging loved one fishing. There is something so relaxing about sitting water-side with a line in the water.
- Look for free open-air or outdoor concerts, movies or other events. Many of these are free of charge and being outdoors while enjoying a concert or movie is certainly a sign of spring.
If you’re a caregiver who has hired a home health care worker, ask them to get your loved one involved in some of these activities. Even if they just sit outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine, it’s a welcome change from being in the house all winter.
Take time to build memories with your loved one. Consider spring not only renewal in nature, but a renewal and a way to reconnect with an aging loved one. Spending time with them while you’re involved in an activity together is an ideal way to talk and let your loved ones share memories of their lives. Cherish these times just as you cherish the new season.
Visit a Baldwin House Senior Living Community near you and ask what activities we have planned for our residents as we welcome spring together.
Visit a Baldwin House Senior Living community near you and ask what activities we have planned for our residents as we welcome autumn together. Baldwin House Senior Living is built upon the strong foundation of guiding families and empowering seniors.
Call us today to schedule a visit. We’d love to meet you or your loved one!