Spending time outside is a great way to boost your mental health, but it also improves your physical health. If your mom doesn’t spend much time outside, it’s time to change that. Here are some elder care tips on how to get your mom outside more this summer.
Create a Safe Outdoor Space
Your mom will sit outside more if she has a safe space available. She may need a level area due to mobility issues. She might feel safer if there is fencing to keep out wild animals or neighborhood dogs. Whatever it takes, your mom needs a space where she feels safe when she’s outside.
She can sit outside and enjoy the feel of the sun while she reads a book or knits. She could play a game with her caregiver or grandchildren. Whatever appeals to her.
Find Fun Hobbies
If your mom has a hobby that keeps her busy, she’s going to want to be outside more. Gardening is a great outdoor hobby in the summer. Not only will she have gardens to work in, but she also grows produce that slashes her grocery bills. Her elder care provider can even help out.
Mobility issues don’t have to keep your mom from gardening. Raised bed gardens and large planter pots allow her to garden without having to walk too far. Set up raised beds along her driveway, deck, or patio.
She might want to take a camera outside and photograph animals, water, flowers, or other things found in nature. Sketching, painting, and birdwatching are other popular summertime hobbies.
Go For a Walk
Take a walk in the park or on a forest path. If you live near a lake, river, or ocean, a walk on a boardwalk or beach is a great idea.
Being out in nature is soothing. A walk can reduce stress, help boost her mood, and leave her feeling refreshed. Your mom doesn’t have to walk alone. Join her or arrange to have family friends or other family caregivers join her.
Protect Her Skin
Protect your mom’s skin from sun damage using a wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen. Sunglasses protect her eyes and eyelids. When purchasing sunscreen, look for a broad-spectrum cream to ensure her skin is protected from both UVA and UVB rays.
In addition to sun protection, she needs to stay hydrated. A glass of water every hour or two will help prevent dehydration.
Don’t Leave Her Alone
If your mom is hesitant to go outside on her own, she can have a caregiver with her each day or several times a week. Talk to an elder care advisor to learn more about companionship services. Your mom’s elder care aide can join her on walks, help her outside in her gardens, and provide the level of companionship she needs to spend as much time outside as she wants.
If you or someone you know needs Elder Care in St. Cloud, MN, contact Adara Home Health. We provide quality and affordable home care services for many fragile or senior members in the communities we serve. Call us at (888) 660-5772 for more information.