The Joys of Summertime
Summer is the ideal time for families to spend more time together. If you’re a senior looking for some ideas on how to connect with your family or if you’re someone looking for ideas on how to connect with your favorite senior this summer, here are some suggestions:

Get outside – summer is full of enjoyable outside family activities for people of all ages and energy levels. Seniors with mobility issues might enjoy a July 4th parade or a relaxing evening listening to the frogs and crickets as the sun sets. Active seniors can invite the family on a trip to the zoo which can be enjoyable for kids and adults alike. If the grandkids are playing soccer or t-ball attend a game as a family and have a simple picnic afterwards.

Share some memories – sharing stories from childhood is enjoyable for seniors and it can help strengthen memory and cognition. Taking a tour through the neighborhood in which the senior grew up can be a way of generating memories to share. Recording or videotaping as these stories are shared with the family can create an invaluable family heirloom which will be cherished for generations.

Have a family reunion - invite the friends and family of your favorite senior to a cookout in a local park. Reconnecting with old friends will be a welcome experience for the senior and this is a great way of honoring the life of a senior loved one while they are still alive.

Go to a concert – many cities sponsor outdoor concerts in the summertime, often with a wide range of options to suit every musical taste. Enjoy a summer concert as a family over a picnic lunch or some snacks.

Read to each other – having seniors read aloud to children is a great way to make older adults feel useful and to give kids an appreciation for good books. Seniors with vision impairments will also enjoy having books read to them and reading a chapter at each visit will give everyone something to look forward to.

No matter your health or family circumstances, summer offers the perfect opportunity to connect with the ones you love. Seniors who are living alone will particularly appreciate being included in summer activities. The small accommodations you may need to make for the sake of your favorite senior’s health limitations will be more than worthwhile as you experience the richness and history of a life well lived.

Aurora Community Services has almost 25 years experience providing high quality community based services to families and individuals. Their services help ensure that aging seniors and vulnerable adults receive excellent professional care and support while providing families with the peace of mind that their loved one is receiving dignified and expert in-home care.


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