8 Tips for Seniors to Stay Active During the Summer

As people get older, it becomes more and more difficult to stay active. We have less energy. We begin to gain weight, which makes exercising harder. Our bodies start to break down. But these issues are exactly why we need to make an effort to stay active at all times, which is especially important when growing older.

Here are some great ways for seniors to stay active during the summer months.

1.Swimming. Of all the physical activities available for keeping active and in shape, swimming might be the best one for seniors. This is because swimming works out your whole body, but is incredibly low impact. As seniors get older, they often have more and more difficulty doing sports because of body pain, but swimming is a lot easier for them to do. Plus, it’s a lot of fun.

2. Arts and Crafts. Whether done outside on a beautiful day, or inside the rec room at a senior living community, arts and crafts are a great summer activity for the elderly. There are many options to suit each individual person, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from finishing a project (and maybe even giving it as a gift) is a great tool that boosts confidence.

3. Board Games. One of the things that drives a lot of people is competition. This is a very healthy thing when done in moderation. But when we get older, there are less things for us to compete in. That’s what’s so perfect about board games. There are so many different games that meet all types of interests and skill levels. And as a bonus, board games are so portable that they can be brought pretty much anywhere.

4. Picnics. Too often, seniors stay cooped up in their homes or senior living facilities. But there is something very therapeutic about being outside in a beautiful park on a great summer day. The sunshine. The food. The activities. These can all bring a nice breath of fresh air to a senior’s life. And don’t forget to bring the board games!

5. Cooking and Baking.  This one has some similarities to arts and crafts, but with the bonus that seniors get to eat what they make. Many people love to cook, but once they get older, they stop altogether and replace home-cooked meals with takeout food or meals provided by senior living facilities. But sometimes it’s great for certain seniors to get back in the kitchen. They can even invite their friends over for a dinner party.

6. Outdoor Activities. All activities are good for seniors, but there is an added bonus to getting them outdoors in the summer as long as you make sure they do not spend too much time in the sun. This is especially great if you can find an activity that they enjoyed throughout their life. One good example of this might be fishing.

7. Volunteering. One of the negative things that happens to a lot of people when they get older is that they start to feel that they are no longer as useful as they once were. This is a bad attitude to develop. But something like volunteering at a local hospital or animal clinic can really combat these negative feelings in seniors.

8. Any Group Activity. When people get older, going out becomes harder and harder. So does preparing the house for guests. Because of this, too many seniors stop socializing, which is a major problem. Maintaining friends that you see on a regular basis is very important for the mental health of seniors, so pretty much any safe peer group activity is a good one.