The temperature is rising around the country, and our Bethesda Senior Living communities are shaking off the last remnants of winter. The change in seasons is an exciting time, with opportunities to engage in beloved hobbies without the extra layers of clothes and added aches and pains that typically come with cold weather. The great outdoors beckons, and we are busy preparing warm-weather activities specially designed for seniors.
If you or a loved one have considered moving into an assisted living apartment in one of our 18 communities around the country, here are a few of the things we do during spring and summer that you might enjoy participating in as a resident.
All of our campuses are carefully landscaped so that seniors can literally take the time to smell the roses during their golden years, and in many of our communities, residents have a hand in shaping the beautiful landscape. Nurturing our community gardens and joining garden club meetings are among our most popular warm-weather activities, giving seniors a chance to immerse themselves in both social opportunities and nature.
We love to support our residents' green thumbs because we know the benefits of gardening extend beyond physical activity and group interaction. Studies show planting seeds helps seniors mentally and emotionally as they anticipate watching their chosen flowers and vegetables grow, lowering stress, depression and anxiety. The hobby also helps boost satisfaction levels and provides a sense of personal accomplishment.
Pleasant weather means our many walking clubs can return to their outdoor routes, taking leisurely strolls around garden beds and under mature shade trees. Whether you prefer joining a large group or would like to walk alone or with a single friend, lacing up a good pair of shoes and hitting the trail is one of the easiest and quickest ways to get exercise as an older adult.
Individuals may want to use walking to target specific areas they'd like to improve as well, such as adding a weighted wrist or ankle bracelet to let them engage in strength training while increasing their number of steps taken in a day. Walks can be good for the soul as well, and seniors of faith may want to try taking prayer walks to spend time nurturing their connection with God and reflecting on the blessings in their lives or praying for loved ones.
Our communities are pet-friendly, so walkers will frequently see fellow community members outside with their four-legged companions. These interactions between neighbors also make it fun for people watchers who pause to rest in the benches and other provided furnishings, such as the lovely gazebo at our community in Frisco, Texas.
Arts and crafts give seniors a chance to flex their creativity and show off their personality. During spring and summer, residents can expect to see engaging themed projects such as creating painted flower pots, beach scene dioramas and colorful sun catchers.
Our residents often use the completed projects to add a new look to their assisted living apartments, and our staff members are always available if seniors need a helping hand to hang a freshly crafted flower wreath on their front door or use a computer to look up instructions on the internet for DIY projects they can do in their residences.
Warm weather months contain several notable annual events for seniors to look forward to celebrating, including Mother's Day, Father's Day and Easter. Seniors appreciate decorating and hunting eggs just as much in their golden years as they did when they were children, and our on-site chapels provide beautiful backdrops to moving worship services for individuals of faith.
Our staff members love doting on the moms and dads in our communities each year, hosting tea parties, brunches and dinners to honor the important contributions they've made in their families over the years.
Veterans are special to us here at the communities under the Bethesda Senior Living umbrella, so Memorial Day is an important day to recognize our former men and women in uniform and pay them the respect they deserve. We also enjoy remembering our freedom on the Fourth of July, when red, white and blue decorations and balloons pop up in the dining room and common areas to help seniors mark the day with enthusiasm.
Sharing meals and conversations are among the best ways for lasting friendships to grow and bloom. Many of our residents state that meals are their favorite time of the day in our assisted living communities, and we do our best to mix things up and keep them exciting. When the weather is pleasant, it gives our culinary teams the chance to expand their offerings into the outdoors.
Patios become the stage for picnics in the warm sunshine, and our lawns fill with the aroma of barbecue grilling to perfection. Though we regularly schedule ice cream socials throughout the year, savoring the frosty treats in the summer months is particularly enticing, especially when it's from the comfort of a shady porch.
