It’s that time of the year between summer and winter when the days are getting shorter, and nights become a bit colder; you know that Autumn is fast approaching. Nothing feels more refreshing than the crisp air of Fall after three months of summer heat.Fall is a great opportunity and time for seniors to get out with their loved ones or caregivers to enjoy outdoor recreation. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stuck when there are so many activities to choose from, but we’ve gathered a list of fun Fall activities to do both indoors and outdoors. We hope these fun, meaningful, and adventurous activities will bring your elderly parents a smile to their faces and warmth in their hearts.

Enjoy a Day of Yard Work

Activities such as raking leaves or other yard work can be painful, but a little help from others or a companion can make it a fun day. Your caregiver can help whip up an apple pie or a cider that you can enjoy with your loved ones or if fires are permitted in your area, grab some hot coca with marshmallows and crackers to enjoy by the fire after yard work is completed.

Take a Refreshing Walk

The benefits of walking are plentiful and include cardiovascular health, mood, and brain function. For seniors, low-to-moderate intensity cardio is very important in retaining memory function and strength training is important to improve muscle mass. If you go for a walk with your caregiver, this can be a lovely bonding moment and capture some of Autumn’s unique scenery on camera. Autumn presents some of the most breathtaking scenery of the year, so why not enjoy a nature walk in the woods or at a local park? 

Pick Apples or Pumpkins

Fall is the season of harvesting and with the abundance of local pick-your-own farms, the farm-to-table experience is minutes away. This quintessentially Fall activity is a great way to enjoy some fresh air and nature. Apple or pumpkin picking is a great way to spend your day and at the end of the adventure, you can turn your harvest into tasty seasonal dishes.

Carve a Pumpkin

Carved pumpkins are a popular way for people to decorate their porches. Pumpkin carving is a creative activity where you and your loved one can use your creative skills to create fun designs. Display your pumpkin around your living space or the front door so your guests can see the fun designs.

Decorate Your Home with Fall Colors

Color is a great and wonderful way to get in the mood to celebrate! As the weather cools and the colors warm, you will want to celebrate and embrace the season. Make decorations in Fall colors for the season. The most popular hues include brown, gold, red, yellow, and orange.

If you are preparing for Halloween, you could add black, purple, or green into the mix. If you are decorating for Thanksgiving, warm and earthy tones are often a good choice.

Have a Fall Picnic

A Fall picnic is a great way to spend time with your caregiver or loved ones while enjoying the beautiful orange and red colors that come with Autumn. You can plan a family picnic with friends at the park or in your own backyard this year. You can share stories of the past Thanksgiving and Halloween.

Prepare for Trick-or-Treaters

If you’re planning to hand out treats to children in the family or neighborhood children, your loved one might enjoy helping with preparations. Prepare individual treat bags in advance and if trick-or-treating isn’t an option (due to social distancing or simply the neighborhood), encourage your senior loved ones to give their goodie bags to fellow neighbors or caregivers.

Fall activities for seniors are abundant. This list is not exclusive, but taking part in it and exploring everything else Fall has to offer should be fun and festive. Our companion caregivers can provide peace of mind knowing that your loved one is safe and able to enjoy their life. Our wonderful caregiver may also have other ideas for family-friendly activities. Contact one of our office locations if your loved one is interested or in need of a companion caregiver to help with activities of daily living or for support.