Five Fun Fall Activities For Your Aging Loved One

Fall’s arrival brings the promise of glorious foliage and a crisp feeling in the air.

While jumping in leaf piles may no longer be at the top of your list, here are five fun fall activities to help your aging parent enjoy the splendor of the season.

1. With winter quickly arriving and summer’s sweltering days a distant memory, fall is the perfect season for getting in some healthy exercise and vitamin D. If your loved one is relatively mobile, arrange an apple picking excursion at a local farm. This is a great activity to do one-on-one, or you can invite the entire extended family to come along.  Apple picking is a terrific photo opp: don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the fun.

If your loved one isn’t up for walking on uneven ground, pay a visit to a local farm stand or farmer's market instead.

2. What are you going to do with all of those apples once you’ve picked them? Bake them, of course! From bread to pie to sauce, apples can be baked up in many delicious ways. Plan a day in the kitchen with your loved one. If he or she has any favorite treats, be sure to track down the recipe.

3. Nothing heralds the changing of the seasons quite like the changing of the leaves. Pack a picnic lunch and head to a nearby park to take in the view. You can also collect leaves for crafts, such as leaf rubbing and wreath making. A quick internet search turns up several simple and inexpensive activities which are perfect for older hands.

If your love one prefers car rides, a scenic drive offers great views and the chance to spend quality time together. A restroom stop can also become a stop for a cup of hot apple cider or some pumpkin spice coffee!

4. Fall means one thing to many older Americans: sports! Whether your aging loved one is geared up for pigskin or puck season, make arrangements to take in a football or ice hockey game together at the local high school. Or, watch the pros on the big screen from the comfort of your own home.

5. From pumpkin carving to cobweb hanging, fall brings plenty of opportunities for decorating. Whether you're getting the porch ready for trick-or-treaters, stuffing treat bags, or drawing funny faces on this year's jack-o-lanterns, these seasonal activities can help older adults remember and reminisce about Halloween and other fun holiday memories.

Key Takeaways

• Fall's “in-between” weather offers the perfect opportunity to get out in the sunshine.
• If your loved one isn't mobile, a little creative thinking can help you capture the fall feeling at home.
• Keep your love one’s abilities in mind before planning strenuous or overwhelming activities.
• Involve multiple generations when appropriate.
• Keep your loved one’s interests and preferences at the forefront when making plans.