Late Summer Activities for Seniors in Assisted Living

Late summer weather is upon us, and at Aberdeen Heights in Kirkwood, Missouri, this means it's time to get outside and enjoy all it has to offer. It’s a great season to make sure you're getting the physical exercise you need while taking time for yourself. From leisurely outdoor strolls to barbecuing with friends and family, we rounded up the best summer activities tailored for seniors in Assisted Living. Whether you’re looking to stay active or find peaceful moments in nature, our guide has something for everyone.

Taking Walks 

Kirkwood has a humid continental climate, with summertime highs averaging in the upper 80s. While this temperature is lower than the average in many other areas nationwide, the humidity often makes it feel much warmer. Hence, taking morning walks is often the best way for seniors to enjoy some light exercise and fresh air in the summer months.

Besides the physical benefits, taking walks can be a relaxing way to unwind and boost your mood. If you don’t want to walk alone, invite some fellow residents of your Assisted Living community to join you. Aberdeen Heights has a walking club that walks together several times per week.

Exploring a New Location

Exploring new locations can be a fun, enriching activity for seniors in Assisted Living. Aberdeen Heights offers organized outings and day trips to all types of interesting places around Kirkwood and the Greater St. Louis area. Our regular schedule of off-site events includes trips to the numerous museums and other cultural venues in St. Louis and the surrounding communities.

From the Gateway Arch National Park, the Missouri Botanical Gardens and Forest Park with the Muny Art Museum, to the St. Louis Zoo and Natural History Museum, there’s always plenty to see and do on each trip. Best of all, our trips are specially designed to accommodate the needs of seniors, ensuring everyone can participate comfortably and safely while keeping their spirit of adventure alive.

Starting an Indoor or Outdoor Garden 

Acquiring greenery can be a fun way to kick off the summer months that allows you to practice your gardening techniques. Certain plants are better suited to older adults, whether you want to start an indoor or outdoor garden (or both). Here are a few you might want to consider.

Senior-Friendly Outdoor Plants 

• Coneflowers: Drought-tolerant and easy-to-grow, coneflowers attract bees, butterflies and birds to your outdoor garden.
• Daylily: Low-maintenance daylilies require minimal care but offer robust blooms that thrive in various climates.
• Hibiscus: These tropical plants feature large, colorful flowers that offer a vivid display in your garden with a bit more care than other options on our list.
• Hosta: These plants provide lush foliage in your garden’s shady areas, come in many colors and sizes, and return every year because they’re perennials.
• Lavender: These beautiful purple flowers are drought-resistant and produce a calming fragrance that helps attract pollinators to your garden.
• Peony: Requiring minimal maintenance, peonies boast lush, large blooms with only sunlight and occasional watering.

Senior-Friendly Indoor Plants

• Aloe plant: Sunny indoor spots are ideal for aloe plants, which require minimal watering and have the added benefit of providing a healing gel.
• Monstera: Seniors wanting to add a lush, tropical feel to their indoor garden can’t go wrong with monstera and its dramatic, large leaves and moderate needs.
• Peace lily: Get double duty from the peace lily, with its beautiful flowers and ability to purify the air inside your home.
• Pothos plant: This hardy plant with beautiful trailing vines is ideal for seniors who have a difficult time propagating vegetation or occasionally forget to water.
• ZZ plant: Also known to withstand neglect, ZZ plants tolerate low light and infrequent watering, so they’re a great choice for forgetful indoor gardeners. 

Hosting a Summer Barbecue

Hosting a summer barbecue is a fantastic way for seniors in Assisted Living to engage with fellow residents and enjoy the warm weather. Invite your family members to make the event even more special. At Aberdeen Heights, we organize seasonal barbecues in our spacious outdoor areas, so residents can get together in a relaxed, festive environment and enjoy delicious grilled foods. Our barbecues often feature live music and/or games to add to the lively atmosphere and encourage socialization.

Shopping at a Local Farmers Market

Shopping at the farmers market is an excellent way for seniors to connect with their community and support local growers. These delightful outings allow residents to walk through stalls filled with fresh produce and artisan products. Besides shopping, seniors also benefit from light exercise and socializing.

The Kirkwood Farmers Market, located in the heart of downtown, is open every Saturday morning throughout the season. Founded in 1976, this open-air market features live music and the freshest fruits and vegetables from local producers. Seniors can also find an array of prepared foods, baked goods and other local products, plus cut flowers, poultry, meats, eggs, cheese and more.

Starting a Book Club 

If you prefer a more relaxed pursuit this summer that promotes social interaction, starting a book club could be the ideal solution. Whether you enjoy classic novels or contemporary works of fiction, nothing beats reading a good book while lounging in the shade of a community garden on a warm summer day. Combining your love of reading with a book club gives you the added pleasure of discussing the story you just read with fellow book lovers.

Going Bird-Watching 

Watching birds is an easy activity that appeals to seniors in Assisted Living wanting to connect with nature. The Aberdeen Heights community boasts beautifully landscaped gardens that often attract birds, or you can venture off-campus to view local bird species at nearby natural areas. This engaging pastime only requires binoculars to get a closer look and a bird identification book to tell you what you’re seeing. It’s simple to get involved in bird-watching, regardless of your experience. Best of all, you can enjoy this activity by yourself or as part of a group of bird lovers.

At Aberdeen Heights, we’re excited about making the most of summer with our residents. Stop by to see what we have planned, or contact us at 314-909-6000 to schedule a tour of our community today.