Ways For Seniors To Enjoy Spring – Safely

Spring is finally here!

As temperatures warm up, most of us are itching to relieve the serious case of cabin fever that’s been building up for the past five or so months.

With a little planning and understanding of how spring affects the body, senior citizens can safely enjoy the promise of the new season. Embassy Healthcare offers the following tips on helping older adults get active.

1. Get out and enjoy nature: It’s the simplest way of refreshing yourself physically and mentally after a long winter: Get outside! Just taking a short, leisurely walk or even sitting on a bench in a park or natural area to watch the birds is a great way to recharge the batteries. Get a bird feeder to encourage our feathered friends to fly up close and personal. Adults who aren’t as mobile can benefit from sitting by an open window and feeling the warm spring breeze, or going for a drive with a loved one.
2. Be mindful of allergies: Just because winter has passed doesn’t mean the sniffles have. Oftentimes, it can be difficult to distinguish between the common cold and seasonal allergies. If you notice certain symptoms last longer than a cold and hit as the weather shifts, you may have allergies. To limit their effect, pay attention to pollen counts on the news or on websites such as pollen.com. Keep pollen away from your eyes and mouth by washing your hands each time you come inside after being outdoors.
3. Protect yourself from the sun: Even though the sun doesn’t feel as scorching hot as it will in a few months, skin can still burn in as little as 15 minutes. Apply sunscreen each time you go outside to help prevent sunburn and protect against skin cancer. Wear sunglasses to help protect your eyes against the sun’s rays.
4. Get active with gardening: Gardening is an excellent, low-impact way to get gentle exercise, enjoy nature and sharpen your mind, not to mention increase socialization opportunities. If bending over is too painful, build a trellis for plants to grow up so your senior can stand as they tend to their garden. If outside gardening is not an option, try indoor gardening with an herb garden, flowers or a miniature bonsai tree.
5. Spring cleaning: This time of year offers the perfect opportunity to de-clutter one’s living space, which can actually make it safer for seniors. Eliminate trip hazards, throw out expired medications, and make sure walkways are clear.

To learn more about Embassy Healthcare’s services at one of our communities, call us at 888-975-1379 or contact us online.