There are so many reasons to look forward to the fall; the crisp autumn air, beautiful foliage, fun family holidays and, of course, pumpkin spice. There are so many things to do in the fall, you simply have to know how to take advantage of them. In addition to local festivals and community fairs that are happening in your neighborhood, autumn provides the perfect conditions for spending time outside.
Here are some fun activities for older adults to consider this fall:
Hiking
When you live in a climate that is conducive to hiking year round, like in California or Colorado, you might take for granted that the dog days of summer make it challenging for other parts of the country to spend extended amounts of time outdoors. Between the risk of dehydration and exposure to the sun’s harmful rays, oppressive heat and unyielding sun actually make many older adults want to retreat indoors (where it is also air conditioned!). The fall, however, provides a nice reprieve to the heat and is a great reason to leave the house to explore the great outdoors.
But before you can hit the trails, consider some advice, which also doubles as ways to take fall precautions:
- Invest in a good pair of sneakers or hiking boots. What good is taking a hike if your feet are uncomfortable the whole time? In addition to avoiding painful blisters, a good pair of sneakers or hiking boots can also help to prevent falls by giving you a greater grip on potentially uneven terrain.
- Bring a water bottle. Remaining hydrated while you are staying active is one of the most important fall precautions you can take. Dehydration can lead to feeling lightheaded or dizzy, or make you feel weak and lethargic, all of which contribute to falls.
- Have a backup plan. Stay connected to help even if you are alone in the woods with either a Mobile Guardian or Active Guardian medical alert device. While it might seem silly to you now, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars that you have it on you should you slip and fall in an unpopulated area.
Visit A Farm or Pumpkin Patch
As a grandparent, it can be incredibly rewarding to take your grandchildren to a local farm or pumpkin patch to pick apples or pumpkins. Add some warm apple cider and a hayride into the mix and you’re looking at some fun activities for seniors and little ones alike. You can even keep the momentum going after you get home by setting up an arts and crafts project with your pumpkins. Whether you want to carve jack-o-lanterns or paint and decorate pumpkins, you can inspire hours of fall-themed fun after your visit to the farm.
But you don’t have to be a grandparent to enjoy spending time at your local farm. For those seniors who love to cook and are looking for things to do in the fall, a visit to a local farm is a wonderful way to get creative in the kitchen. Assuming your haul will include apples and squash, consider testing out new recipes, such as Apple Yogurt Cake or Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup.
Travel To See Fall Foliage
Autumn is a wonderful time of year to plan a trip, especially if you intend on going to see the gorgeous fall foliage. New England in particular, offers a wide variety of options for those who are interested in taking in the beauty and majesty that autumn has to offer. Amtrak offers a New England Fall Foliage vacation package that will take you from Boston, Massachusetts to Portland, Maine for “a hop on/hop off sightseeing tour.” As a bonus, Amtrak offers a regular 15% discount to seniors, so you can save money on your trip.
While New England is perhaps the most well-known location to see picturesque views of colorful leaves, there are plenty of other parts of the country that offer “leaf peepers” a chance to take in the beauty of mother nature during this time of year. You can find fall foliage and fun activities for seniors in Aspen, Colorado, Michigan’s Gold Coast, the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and the Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Fall Is For Fun And Safety
Whatever fun things you choose to do this fall, be sure to stay safe and take all the necessary fall precautions you may need. After all, what good is it to have a variety of things to do in the fall if you can’t stay healthy enough to enjoy them?
