Summer adventures might be exciting, but the hot, muggy weather can make it hard for older adults to stay active on a day-to-day basis. Older adults often struggle to drink enough water or cope with high temperatures, so they may need a little help in order to stay independent and engaged during the warmer months.
Fortunately, McHenry County has plenty of resources available to help them do just that. Here are some of our favorites.
Activities to Keep Seniors Active This Summer
McHenry County has plenty of ways for older adults to keep moving during summertime if you know where to look. From group exercise classes indoors to pools and water parks, there’s no shortage of summer activities for seniors right in your backyard.
- Get Moving Inside
As we get older, it becomes harder to regulate our body temperature or to tell when we’re already overheated. That’s why exercising outside during McHenry County’s hot, muggy summers can be hazardous for seniors—they can’t always tell when they need to go inside and cool down.
Fortunately, there’s a simple solution: exercising inside. Many senior centers like Dorr Township’s SOAR@Dorr host a variety of indoor workout classes every weekday, so your loved one can attend at their convenience and explore their options. Once they find a class they like, the regular schedule makes attendance easy. Over time, they’re likely to meet new people and make friends, turning their workout into a weekly social occasion they can always look forward to.
- Splash Around
There’s a good reason why water parks are so popular in the summertime: On hot days, they’re one of the few ways to get moving outside that actually feels good. Most seniors love taking their grandkids to a water park now and then, but the noise level makes it hard for them to enjoy on a regular basis. To help older adults stay active and independent, it’s also helpful to find them somewhere quieter to splash around.
In McHenry County, you won’t have to look far: Woodstock Water Works is open (and a lot quieter) on weekdays, giving your loved one a great spot to swim some laps or simply float around. Water exercises are particularly good for older adults in the summer because they’re naturally low-impact, and the cool water dramatically reduces their risk of overheating.
Before they head out, make sure to pack your loved one some summer essentials. Waterproof sunscreen is a must. It’s deceptively easy to get dehydrated while swimming, so it’s also helpful to give them an insulated water bottle. Try adding a sugar-free water enhancer—seniors often forget to hydrate, and making their drink tastier can give them the motivation they need.
- Keep Their Home Cool
No matter how many fun activities you put on your loved one’s calendar, they won’t be able to enjoy the summer if the heat has them feeling wiped. A hot, muggy day can really take it out of people, especially when it didn’t cool down the night before. When you wake up overheated, it’s hard to muster the energy to do much of anything. That goes double for seniors, who may already struggle with fatigue.
To make sure your friend or family member has the energy to engage in their activities, it’s crucial to make sure their home stays cool. Unfortunately, air conditioners have a nasty habit of breaking down on the hottest days of the year, and it’s tough to get them fixed when there’s so much demand.
That’s why it’s so important to get a reliable HVAC company like Woodstock Heating and Cooling to service your loved one’s AC unit in advance. By handling their maintenance proactively, you can minimize the odds that their AC goes out on a hot day. Without high temperatures dragging them down, they’ll be able to go out and enjoy summer to the fullest.
Caregivers Can Help Keep Seniors Active
When the temperature rises, it can be challenging for older adults to stay active—but with the resources available in McHenry County, it’s far from impossible. From indoor exercise programs and outdoor water parks to trustworthy HVAC services to keep your loved one’s air on, there are plenty of ways to put summer fun in reach right here.
If a senior in your life needs a little help getting active this summer, FirstLight Home Care of McHenry County is here for them. Our resourceful caregivers can help older adults stay active and independent by getting them to their activities and giving them a companion they can rely on throughout the day.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help.
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