by Shauna Dorko, Sidney SeniorCare –
Although it was wonderful to see day after day of sunshine this past summer, I, for one, am relieved to experience some cooler, wetter weather. Time to snuggle up to those we love and dig the fuzzy blankets out of the closet.
The fall is my favourite time of year, with the scent of rain and turning leaves in the air, coupled with the culinary smells of warm apple pies and harvest spices – I love it all!
There are some of us, however, who find this often drastic change of season a tough transition. As the weather becomes more inclement, seniors may tend to retreat indoors, leading potentially to depression and loneliness which they can be prone to.
The great thing about fall is that there are plenty of activities in which to include your favourite senior:
Gardening. Of course, as this is the “harvest” season, the seniors in your life may need some help with their veggie gardens and/or planting the hardier versions that can survive the winter months. Other plants and flowers may need to be winterized: pulled out, cut back and otherwise prepared for the cooler weather to come. This is a golden opportunity for fresh air, light exercise and productive companionship for you and your special senior(s).
Fall Fairs and Festivals. With autumn harvests come fall festivals to celebrate those harvests. Our local community features engaging harvest-themed activities for all ages. Bring a senior or two and enjoy a farm tour, a leisurely stroll through a corn maze or pumpkin patch, or a live outdoor band. Indulge in seasonal delights and local produce at our neighbourhood farms – apple picking is not only super fun, but the resulting bounty can be pretty tasty too!
Pumpkin Carving. With so many local pumpkin patches, who can resist bringing one home to transform into a spooky jack-o’-lantern. Most seniors have decorated more than a few in their lifetime and, chances are, they still have some pretty creative ideas. A wonderful bonding activity for children (and virtually anyone young at heart) and seniors to do together. The bonus? Toasted pumpkin seeds, or, even better, homemade pumpkin pie.
Harvest Dinners. Many seniors are fantastic cooks and have old family recipes which have been handed down through the generations. Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to not only invite a senior for dinner, but offer to help them prepare their favourite fall dish to bring.
Sharing the harvest and food from our table is a tradition rooted in family and community. Thanks to the seniors in our lives, we can carry those beautiful traditions forward.
Written in collaboration with Sherrin Griffin. We welcome all comments, suggestions and ideas for future columns. Please email us at news@seasidemagazine.ca with “Seniors” in the subject line.
