By Vista Springs Assisted Living
As the weather gets colder and the leaves begin to change, it’s time to start celebrating the fall season! While you may not be jumping in leaf piles or going trick-or-treating anymore, there are still plenty of activities to fill your days and get you in the spirit of the season as an older adult. From decorating to baking delicious treats to visiting an orchard, here are some amusements that will keep you occupied for the entirety of autumn.
Indoor activities
If cold weather isn’t your thing, there’s no need to miss out on all the fall fun! Here are four great indoor activities that will help you celebrate no matter what the outside temperature is!
Create a knitted masterpiece
Not only has knitting been proven to be good for your mental and emotional health, but it helps get you in the mood for fall with cozy yarns in fall colors. Whether you are a beginner or a master, there is a knitted craft for you! Give your masterpieces away as gifts to your family and friends to help spread the fall spirit, or keep them for yourself as a reminder of your hard work!
Watch movies
From spooky Halloween classics like Nightmare on Elm Street to heartwarming fall romcoms like You’ve Got Mail, there are movies from every genre that will be a fit for everyone’s tastes! Gather your friends together and have weekly movie nights where you eat delicious snacks and watch all your fall favorites.
Start decorating
Decorating your home is one of the best ways to bring the fall atmosphere indoors! Surrounding yourself with decorations helps you stay in the right mindset for fall, no matter which direction you look! Pick a theme like Halloween or the outdoors, or just have fun adding in touches of everything you like. Examples of decorations can include:
- Displays of pumpkins and gourds
- Festive fall centerpieces
- An autumn wreath on the front door
- Leaf and pinecone table displays
- Decorative candle holders for candles with fall scents
- Additional pillows and throws in fall colors like orange, brown, and red
Make some baked goods
Baking not only lets you make tasty treats, but it will also fill your home with good smells and warmth from the oven. There are the classics like pumpkin and apple pies, but try pushing yourself with new recipes for baked goods you haven’t made before! Think of ways to use in-season fruits and veggies to make mouthwatering foods for family and friends—or to keep for yourself!
Outdoor activities
Want to get outside to see all that autumn has to offer? Take a look at these four ideas for outdoor activities that will help you experience the true beauty and some of the best joys of the fall season.
See the changing colors
Getting outside doesn’t have to be a big ordeal—just taking a simple walk and enjoying the fall foliage is a great way to experience the natural beauty of autumn. Breathing in the crisp air and taking photos of the prettiest trees can be both relaxing and good for your health. If you are artistically minded, try sketching or painting some of the sights you see!
Get ahead on gardening
Gardening may traditionally be a spring activity, but fall can be the best time to get prepped for next year! Planting perennials in fall ensures you have beautiful blooms come spring—without having to do the work then! You can also try container gardening and plant some late-blooming flowers in containers that can be outside until it gets too cold, then can be brought inside to enjoy!
Visit an orchard
There are orchards abound in the midwest, and now is the perfect time to visit one! Plan an outing with the grandkids, or just go with friends your own age. Orchards have many activities, from classic apple picking to pumpkin patches to hay rides. Many have homemade treats for sale, like donuts and fresh pressed apple cider. Make a whole day of visiting the orchard, and take your spoils home to either decorate or bake with!
Build a bonfire
Fall fun isn’t just limited to the daytime! After the sun sets is a perfect time to grab a bunch of blankets and warm up in front of a bonfire. You can roast marshmallows, tell scary stories, or just enjoy the company of others and those you love—all while feeling cozy, even as the weather grows colder around you.
There are lots of ways to enjoy autumn, even as an older adult. With all these activities and more at your fingertips, there’s no way you won’t have a wonderful fall and get into the spirit of the season everyday! At assisted living communities like Vista Springs, we plan fun fall activities on each day of the calendar. Come visit Vista Springs and see the Full of Life experience for yourself!
Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.
