How to Plan a Fun & Safe Summer Adventure with an Aging Grandparent

Plan a summer adventure with your aging loved one. Our tips and ideas give you everything you need to know to take grandma or grandpa out for a fun and safe day.

How to Plan a Fun & Safe Summer Adventure with Grandma

Plan a field trip for your grandparent! Imagine picking grandma or grandpa up from the nursing home and filling the day with a summer adventure. Your grandparent will look forward to the day and remember it for years!

Here’s everything you need to plan a fun summer field trip with your older loved one.

Create A Plan

Craft a plan of what your summer adventure will look like. When making your plan, take into consideration your grandparent’s mobility and the physical demands of events.

The Plan Should Include:

What time you’ll pick your loved one up.
The fun activities that will make up your day.
Plan for rest breaks in between activities. How often you rest will depend upon the type of activity as well as your loved one’s health condition. Some individuals will need more frequent and longer rest breaks than others.
Plan on meals, snacks and water throughout the day.

Taking your loved one on a fun summer adventure will require some planning and packing on your part. Make sure you include these items so you are prepared for whatever the day may bring.

Easy snacks like fresh sliced fruit, nuts and nutrition bars
Plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day
An extra change of clothes in case of incontinence
Adult diapers in case of incontinence
Moist towelettes for easy cleanup after meals
Comfortable walking shoes
Sunblock
A hat
A sweater in case they get cold
Any required medication
A camera to capture the adventure!

Activity Ideas

Make sure to choose activities that you think your grandparent will enjoy and ones they are physically able to do. Keep it simple and choose public spaces that aren’t too crowded or loud. If you can choose a place that is familiar to them and has fond memories, that can be a big plus.

Go Fishing

If the weather is warm and mild, go to the lake or your favorite fishing hole and see if the two ofe you can catch some fish. If they are in a wheelchair, make sure the dock is wheelchair-accessible. You can spend the day chatting while soaking up some Vitamin D.

Get Artsy

Try an art class at your local craft store. Stores like Michael’s and Joann often have beginning painting, sewing and scrapbooking classes. You can also try a flower arranging class or a pottery class. They’ll get to flex their creative muscles and take something home as a souvenir of your special day together.

Have a Picnic

Take a walk around a park and then have a picnic after. Make sure to pack a cane or walking stick to help with balance. Pack a picnic lunch of their favorite foods, a blanket, and enjoy some leisurely time together outdoors. You can even bring a kite and take turns flying it!

Work In The Garden

Taking care of something can give your loved one a sense of responsibility and pride. You can take them to your local nursery and let them pick out some favorite plants you can plant together. Even some fresh herbs in a windowsill can be planted with limited dexterity. Make sure you have ergonomical tools in case they experience any pain. Once your garden harvests, you can share the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor with them!

Go Miniature Golfing

Find a miniature golf center near you or set one up in your backyard. You can help your grandparent if their ball goes off course and even make a fun contest of what the winner will receive. Grab an ice cream cone afterward to wrap up your day of laughter and a little exercise.

Bring The World To You

Use www.thumbtack.com to invite a professional or expert into your home for a private session of your favorite hobby. The site offers access to a variety of health and wellness activities provided in the comfort of your home.

Give yourself plenty of time! When creating your schedule for the day, be sure to plan for car transfers, a leisurely pace and slower mobility. Remember that your loved one will be safe and able to enjoy the day’s activities more if they can do them at their pace.

If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.

Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.

Sources:

https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/1708580/Marketing%20Monthlies/PDFs%20from%20Windfarm%20Marketing/0716_How-to-Plan-a-Fun-and-Safe-Summer-Adventure-with-Grandma-CMYK.pdf

Carol Pardue-Spears

Carol has worked in the healthcare field for more than forty years. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, she worked for El Camino Hospital in the cardiac unit, Los Gatos Community Hospital, The Women’s Cancer Center in Los Gatos and several home health and hospice agencies. Carol founded Family Matters in 2002 to fill a deficit she witnessed in high-quality, in-home services and care.