Local Events to Get You Out & About

The long, dog days of summer are upon us. The intense heat can make it difficult to get outside and be involved in things going on, even though the options are generally more plentiful at this time of year. But, please remember, no matter what your age, it is important to be involved in the things going on in your community. Seeing aging citizens active and involved gives a sense of stability to the younger population. Being involved with them gives them hope for the future, and you just may find that it gives a bit of joy back to you as well!

Activities are varied throughout the country, but most communities have certain events that are annually put on within their community that you can attend, or even help to put on! I’ll start with some that are available throughout the country & then give you some ideas to find more near you.

Farmer’s markets. Almost every small town in America has markets where local farmers and gardeners go to sell their produce. These vendors love to talk with people. Becoming friends with them is easy and it if you’re eating their produce, you’ll become healthier at the same time! Plan a morning to go and walk or wheel around your local market, even if you’ve never been there before. Pick up some food or a bouquet of cut flowers to put on your table!

Community gardens. Many of the larger towns in the United States also have community gardens with plots available. Rent a plot that you can cultivate. It is better if you can rent it with someone else that can help you in the garden in order to spend some quality time with them in nature. Chances are good that you’ll run into people while you’re working in your plot and make new acquaintances while you’re growing your meal!
Reading programs. Public libraries all across the country offer reading programs that are not just for children. Our library offers a summer reading program for children and a winter reading program for adults. The program includes specific types of books to read, but also specific activities to attend. Oftentimes these programs are linked with a class that they’re offering or a local author coming to speak. Being involved in these programs will help you to interact in your community, but they may also turn you on to a new genre of book that you’ve never read before, or a new hobby that you’ve never tried. We recently had a wire-working class offered in our library and the end products look amazing!
County fairs. Throughout the country, county fairs take place. They are great ways to get out and find many new people and interests. Plan to walk around, but to take breaks at benches and picnic tables to rest. Eat some of the amazing food in the food trucks. Visit the various buildings. If they offer a list for open entries, take the list and look over it closely. Perhaps there are things listed that you could enter next year to win ribbons and money.
Community education classes. Oftentimes communities will put out little booklets of classes that are offered throughout the year in their area. Some classes require payment for materials and some are free. All of them offer you a chance for interaction and to learn something new!
Swimming or other exercise classes may be available in some areas at the local pool or fitness center. They often have fitness classes that are geared specifically for senior citizens.
Art guilds will sometimes offer classes to beginners to get them interested in that particular type of handicraft.
Church functions. These are an ongoing thing in most churches and there are almost always groups of older people within the congregation that will organize some of their own activities or even outings.
Community theater. If you’re too shy to go onstage and audition, attending their performances will be a big boon to you and to the actor and actresses!
Parades, block parties & special days. Many areas have different things that they celebrate within their community. If yours has these things, find ways that you can get involved. Tell your son that you want to take you antique car through at the next parade. Offer to sit at a table for promoting a certain business or cause that has one set up. You’ll meet many people in this way.

The things to do are almost endless, especially in summer. Winter-time events are a little sparser, but might also include holiday parties, fundraising events, indoor fairs, etc. Keep your eyes open all year long for things in which you could be involved. Think about how you could contribute your time to help.

Therapy Animals For Seniors

Have you noticed how prevalent it is to see animals inside of stores & other venues where they wouldn't have been allowed before? Young and old, disabled & seemingly healthy people have these companions with them these days for both physical help, as well as emotional support.

Spending time with animals has been shown to have health benefits for those people who are able to have them in their lives. Dogs are the animals that are most often studied, but many other animals can be used for emergency service animals.

In most states in the U.S., you'll need to get a special license to have the animals with you at all times if it's deemed necessary. But for the elderly, most of the benefits can be reaped without going through a licensing process. Seniors and elderly can find great solace in having a pet around to talk to. This alone can be enough to ward off depression & loneliness that can be common in the aging. Companionship with an animal can decrease stress and increase serotonin levels in the brain, making you feel calmer & happier.

Taking Fido for a regular walk can also help seniors to stay active & keep their heart healthy. A simple, but regular routine of light exercise like this can be greatly beneficial to the caregiver of the animal, as well as increasing the likelihood of engagement in the community and in nature which will also decrease stress & possibly broaden their support network as they meet new people.

If the person is traumatized by some event in the past, or if they are full of anxiety, as is often the case with Alzheimer's disease, the animal can be a consistent aid in calming them down.

Lastly, if the animal is needed for a specific purpose, like help with vision, the animal can be a life-saving choice. Many people use animals in this way so that they can function more normally with greater independence and safety than would otherwise be possible.

It doesn't matter how you look at it, the animals that become companions to the elderly may be a bit of work, but their value far outweighs the trouble of keeping them when one sees the emotional and physical benefits. Some animals are more suited to particular tasks than others, so be sure to do your research before jumping in with both feet, but consider the improvements that you may see with the small lifestyle change of adding an animal into their lives. All the small things can add up to a much longer, happier & healthier life for the loved ones we care for!

Keeping Mental Abilities Sharp

We all know that cognitive abilities are some of the first things that show signs of aging. Slight bits of forgetfulness, cloudiness of thought, or general confusion could be signs of something more serious than aging, and if you suspect that, the first step would be to get a doctor's opinion. Whether or not there is a more serious problem, though, there are certain activities that can slow down mental deterioration. The following activities are simple enough for anyone to do, will help people of all ages, and will not interfere in any program that a doctor has set up for you.

One of the very first things that can help combat mental lethargy is conversation. This may seem like an obvious strategy, but many people are surprised by how few conversations are had by those who are becoming more home-bound with age. Things that used to be common, such as a conversation with a gas station attendant, asking directions to a new location & getting help to find a needed item at the grocery store, become rare occasions as mobility & transportation opportunities decrease. This time period in life can also become discouraging if many of our peers are passing away & we can no longer correspond with them by phone or letter. Conversations with those of us who are still here & who care can make a huge impact on their day to day lives. Find ways to ask questions that will stimulate their brains. Ask for advice on a certain problem you face (we can all keep learning, & their input may prove invaluable). Ask for their opinion about current situations in our communities, country & world. Ask if they can remember the components of a favorite recipe or how to fix a particular kind of household problem. You'll find it will most likely benefit both of you.

Another easily managed activity is to engage in a well-loved hobby, or perhaps even learning a new hobby/skill. Sewing & quilting can be helpful at keeping mental agility. There may need to be modifications made (magnifying glasses, needles threaded in advance, etc) but it is worth it for the amount of pleasure we'll gain & from the mental benefits we'll receive. Woodworking, painting, gardening, animal care, weaving, and furniture repair could be other options. If the outcome of the hobby/skill benefits another person, or our community, it's even better as it gives a stronger sense of purpose.

An incredibly simple step to take to promote mental acuity is to change the daily schedule slightly. Routine is important to all of us, but sameness & monotony can make it difficult to distinguish one day from another. A slight change from day to day can help keep mental faculties sharp & also give something to look forward to & look back upon with joy.

Finally, remember to schedule in time for games and puzzles. Crossword puzzles that include current events are helpful to keep us engaged in the world around us. Games scheduled with family, neighbors or friends can pass the time, keep us active mentally & help us engage socially. Chess, checkers, & card games are simple enough to find, but also consider newer games in which you may have to learn new rules in order to play. You may just find a new favorite to share with friends!