Keeping It Cool Indoors: Summertime Fun For Seniors & Caregivers
The summer months can pose a few elevated risks for adults 65 and older, who are more susceptible to conditions such as dehydration and heat illness. If it’s too hot to get outside, that may also make it harder for them to take walks, play with pets in the backyard, or spend time in the garden, all of which help to keep seniors in shape in more moderate times of the year.
A little bit of sun exposure is healthy for vitamin D production, so whenever possible, take advantage of early morning windows and go for walks, join a water aerobics class, or sit on the patio when the sun is shining and the temperatures are between 65 and 75 degrees. Once temps start creeping up into the 80s, it’s best to take things back inside.
7 Indoor Ideas For Seniors To Have Fun & Stay in Shape This Summer
There are a few different reasons why adults 65+ are more susceptible to heat than they were when they were younger:
- Certain chronic health conditions.
- Medication side effects.
- Age affects our internal thermostat, and that makes it harder for our bodies to adjust to fluctuating temperatures.
- Seniors are particularly prone to dehydration, which can exacerbate heat sensitivity and increase the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Fortunately, there are many ways for seniors and caregivers to stay cool indoors while still enjoying summertime fun and some season-themed activities.
1. Host a mocktail party for some friends.
Summertime is known as backyard BBQ season, but there’s no reason you can’t have an indoor party instead. Check out some summertime mocktail recipes, all of which are deliciously cool and refreshing. Decide which two or three you want to make and then gather the ingredients.
- Get a guest list together.
- Send out invitations for a lunchtime or late-afternoon party so those who still drive don’t have to navigate in the dark.
- Create a summer-themed music playlist.
- Get some cocktail umbrellas or other fun drink accessories and colorful napkins to jazz things up.
- Consider making no-cook summertime appetizers to keep the house cool, or order a few appetizer platters from your local grocery store and have them delivered.
Once the guests arrive, they’ll enjoy the opportunity to socialize, laugh, and have fun with a group of your favorite people.
2. Plan a classic summer movie marathon
Choose three summer movie classics and host a summer movie marathon. Some ideas for movies include:
- Blue Hawaii.
- Beach Party.
- Gidget
- South Pacific
- Jaws (if they like a good ol’ fashioned thriller).
- Grease
While these movies happen to be beach-themed, any favorite movies will do. The real fun is giving yourself permission to watch three or more movies in a row, complete with popcorn, fizzy drinks, and your favorite movie snacks (sugar-free if you’re watching blood-sugar levels).
Of course, you can also visit your local movie theater, which offers senior discounts and special discount movie days. Many theaters periodically show classic movies, and it can be enjoyable for seniors to revisit these films on the big screen.
3. Schedule video chats and games with the grandkids
Since the grandkids are still on summer break, it’s a great time for them to connect more often with their grandparents. Studies show that children who spend quality time with grandparents do better in body, mind, and spirit! And, of course, it’s beneficial for grandparents too.
Rather than just making conversation (which may not be easy depending on your grandchild’s age or personality type), playing games can make the experience more enjoyable. Explore some of the digital or online options that are out there, like:
- Read stories together on platforms like Caribu or Epic.
- Let older kids choose a book and then order a physical copy. Take turns reading one chapter or so during each video chat.
- Using online apps to play cards and other games, like PlayingCards.io, Go Fish, and Crazy 8s.
- Who doesn’t love a good round or two of Bingo? The Virtual Bingo website allows up to 30 people to play together for free. What a great way to spend time with long-distance family members all at once.
- If you each have a game of Battleship, you can play with your own setups while hanging out online. If you don’t have the real game, then use Online Battleship instead.
If you have a smartphone or gadget, you can also engage with grandchildren (or any long-distance friends or family) using games like Words With Friends, Draw Something, or Overcooked.
Odds are that any grandchildren over the age of 10 will have some ideas for you, too.
4. Have a dance party once a day
One of the most significant issues with not getting outside is that it can lead to insufficient exercise. While we have multiple articles about indoor exercises for seniors,
We also know that our caregivers and clients have the most fun putting together playlists that include their favorite dance songs from each of them. Then schedule some time to have indoor dance parties. If your friends enjoy dancing, we recommend making a dance party a highlight of your Mocktail Party!
Just make sure to hydrate and adjust the thermostat setting so you don’t overheat with all that physical activity.
5. Volunteer for a Bay Area charity that you believe in
There are numerous worthy causes that could use a helping hand, and that’s especially true now that significant government funding is being cut from public and non-profit organizations. Create a list of local charities or causes you believe in, and then contact them to see if they have a volunteer program.
Seniors reap so many benefits from volunteering:
- It gets them out of the house.
- They feel wanted, needed, and valued.
- Volunteering often involves people of all ages rather than just a similar peer age group which leads to deeper and more interesting social stimulation and engagement.
6. Act like a tourist and hit all the indoor hotspots
When’s the last time you went to a museum, Alcatraz, or other tourist hotspots around the Bay Area? There are so many outing ideas and things to do and see in this area, many of which offer senior discounts or have scheduled free or low-cost days.
Some examples to kickstart your brainstorming include:
- Oakland Museum of California
- Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley
- Aquarium of the Bay
- USS Hornet Museum
- Chabot Space & Science Center
- Golden State Model Railroad Museum
- Musée Mécanique
This is just a small sample of the indoor attractions available here in the Bay Area. Make a plan to hit at least one or two a week to get out of the house and avoid cabin fever.
7. Take a class and learn something new
Most of the area's community colleges offer summertime and weekend community classes and workshops. Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn more about or a craft you’ve wanted to pick up? How about learning a new language? In addition to being fun and introducing you to new people, learning new things and working with your hands stimulates the brain and increases neural connections - important for slowing cognitive decline.
Licensed Caregivers Help Homebound Seniors Maintain an Active Lifestyle While Keeping Cool
Are you worried that a loved one living alone - or who transitioned to a facility - is spending too much doing nothing indoors all day? Without access to safe transportation, companionship, and healthy meals, it’s easy for seniors to slip into social isolation and a depression-like funk.
Here at HomeAide Home Care, our licensed caregivers do more than just provide companionship to our clients. We help them maintain—or reclaim—their active lifestyle. And, we find ways to do that when summertime temperatures make it hard to be outside. Contact us to learn more about our services or to schedule a free, no-obligation, in-home assessment. We have a wealth of ideas for keeping aging loved ones safe, active, and socially engaged, regardless of what the weather has in store.