FitnessMobility

5 Fun Summer Activities for Older People

Are you looking for fun summer activities for older people? Don’t miss these health-inspired ideas – great for older adults and their caregivers! Hiking Let the warm sunshine beckon you outside this summer to hit the trails. While hiking can seem like an adventure too risky for older adults, mildly to moderately challenging hiking trails […]

Are you looking for fun summer activities for older people? Don’t miss these health-inspired ideas – great for older adults and their caregivers!

Hiking

Let the warm sunshine beckon you outside this summer to hit the trails. While hiking can seem like an adventure too risky for older adults, mildly to moderately challenging hiking trails actually offer huge health benefits and incur little risk when proper precautions are taken (like wearing good hiking shoes, using walking sticks, etc). Not only does hiking offer an aerobic low-impact exercise that helps strengthen muscles and bones, but a 2015 study revealed that simply walking through nature can boost your happiness and attentiveness too!

Volunteering

Looking to give back to your community this summer? Outdoor volunteer opportunities abound from helping at the community festival, to walking dogs for the animal shelter, participating in a neighborhood or river cleanup, or even joining a charity walkathon. Volunteering can be both beneficial to your physical and mental health, and was even shown in a 2013 study to lower the risk of older adults developing high blood pressure. Use websites like Volunteer Ireland to find a volunteering opportunity near you.

Picnic

What better time to enjoy the great outdoors than with an old-fashioned picnic? Invite friends and family, head to the park, or simply drop a blanket on the front lawn and pop down for a fresh, outdoor feast. Don’t forget health boosting picnic staples like protein-rich egg salad, sandwiches made with whole grain bread, Vitamin C-packed coleslaw, and berry fruit salad ripe with antioxidants. Take your picnic to the next level and fly kites with your grandkids, an activity which even older people with mobility issues who need to remain seated can take part in.

Try a New Exercise

Summer is naturally imbued with a sense of adventure and excitement. Why not carry that spirit over into your fitness routine and make summer the opportunity you’ve been looking for to try a new exercise? Maybe it’s swimming, cycling, yoga, or playing tennis. Don’t let pain or illness stop you from staying active. Physical exercise has been shown across the board to help lower blood pressure, fight osteoporosis and arthritis, as well as lower risks for heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Always talk with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine – they may be able to suggest helpful aids like an arthritis glove for hand pain, lower back compression wrap for lumbar spine inflammation, or orthotic insoles for foot pain.

Attend a Community Event

The list of available outdoor summer events seems endless – festivals, fairs, charity races, art shows, musical performances, flea markets, you name it! Oftentimes, communities offer free or low-cost admission to fun outdoor events during the summer, giving you a chance to soak in local culture and interact with your neighbors. Keep your eyes peeled on local newspapers and notice boards, and make sure to follow your favorite local blogs and Facebook pages, local community center, and tourism association on social media too.

The time is always right to do something fun and good for your health this summer. What would you add to a summer activities list for older people?

Author Bio
Jessica Hegg is the content manager at ViveHealth.com. Interested in all things related to living a healthy lifestyle she works to share valuable information, fresh resources, and helpful tools aimed at overcoming obstacles and improving the quality of life for others.