As beautiful as it might be outside, the truth is that summer can be a hard time for older adults. They’re more prone to overheating and dehydration than younger people, so many of them opt to stay home to avoid getting hurt while they’re out of the house. This can make them feel sad and isolated, but it’s hard to blame them for staying in if there’s no alternative.
Older adults deserve to enjoy the summer just as anyone else, and here’s the good news: There are plenty of ways they can do it. Chino Hills is home to a wide variety of senior-friendly activities that help older adults reclaim their independence, get out of the house and have fun even on the hottest days. Here are some of our favorites.
How Seniors Can Have Summer Fun in Chino Hills, CA
With the options available in Chino Hills, there’s no need for your loved one to stay cooped up at home. From indoor social activities to outdoor pools, there are plenty of ways for seniors to enjoy the summer right here.
- Make a Splash
Ever wondered why jumping in a pool on a hot day makes you feel instantly cool, even if the water is room temperature? It’s because water cools you down 25 times faster than air. That’s why water sports are one of the few good ways to get moving outside on a scorching summer day. They’re even better for older adults, who are prone to overheating and often struggle with higher-impact exercises.
The beach might be a little too far to drive with a senior in your life, but never fear: Chino Hills’ local pools like Route 66 Aquatics are the perfect place for older adults to swim laps, splash around with family or simply enjoy a relaxing float. If they’re not sure how they’ll do in the water, you can even enroll them in an adult swimming class.
Seniors are vulnerable to sunburns, so when you’re heading to the pool with your loved one, pack waterproof sunscreen and help them reapply it regularly. Also, remember to bring a water bottle. Being immersed in cool water can disrupt our thirst cues, so it’s important to make sure they drink enough.
- Have Fun Indoors
On the hottest days of the year, it’s best to stay out of the sun. That’s okay, because there’s plenty of indoor fun to be had at the City of Walnut Senior Center just a few miles away.
The Senior Center is a great place for older adults to have fun, get active and make lasting friendships with each other. Their robust events calendar gives your loved one a constant series of upcoming events to look forward to like free educational classes, social dances and weekly bingo games. They even organize regular excursions to see museums, hike trails or even watch plays.
- Make Lunch a Treat
On the best of days, it can be challenging for older adults to eat enough. As we age, our hunger cues diminish, but our actual need for food doesn’t. It’s not that seniors need any less food; they’re just less able to tell when they need to eat. Eating is even harder for them on hot summer days, because warm weather tends to make food in general, and hot meals in particular, distinctly unappetizing.
Cold meals like salads and bowls are a major exception, which is why people tend to favor them during the dog days. However, they usually require getting large quantities of many ingredients just for one salad. There’s a better solution: An ice-cold smoothie or bowl from a local juice bar like Juice N’Bowls. (You can also make one at home with a decent blender.)
Well-balanced fruit-and-protein smoothies are the perfect summer meals for older adults. They’re more appetizing than hot food, especially since most of them taste like delicious frozen treats. They have built-in hydration and, unlike other cold meals, they actually help seniors cool down. It takes almost zero coordination to drink them, so your loved one won’t have to worry about fumbling with utensils.
Help Seniors Have Summer Fun in Chino Hills, CA
It can be challenging for older adults to have fun independently during the summertime, but the many resources available in Chino Hills make it a lot easier. From outdoor and indoor activities to nutritious and tasty smoothies, there are plenty of ways for seniors to enjoy the summer right here.
If your loved one needs a little help getting around during the summer, FirstLight Home Care of Chino Hills is here for them. Our compassionate caregivers can act as reliable companions throughout the day, ensuring they enjoy the warm weather to the fullest. Whether that includes reminders about sunblock, help throwing together a smoothie or accompaniment to any of the fun we’ve discussed, a caregiver makes sure the seniors in your life always have someone to lean on.
To learn more about how we can help a senior in your life, just contact us.
