As we enter the peak of summer, finding dementia friendly summer activities to do with your loved one can be challenging.
We have some great seasonal activities to work in with your budget, environment and more!
Gardening or caring for pot plants
Light gardening can be a great way of getting some fresh air and connecting with nature. At Ambridge Rose, gardening is a fan favourite dementia friendly summer activity for our residents, many of whom love getting into the garden and planting seasonal flowers or vegetables. We recommend investing in raised garden beds or planting at a waist-high table to reduce fatigue, and using simple tools like a trowel and gardening fork.
Outdoor tea or picnic
Get outside and onto the lawn with an outdoor picnic. Pack nice, simple and easy-to-eat snacks and foods, like club sandwiches, cherry tomatoes, chocolate, pretzels and more! Don’t forget to bring a clean, comfortable picnic blanket and some sturdy, durable picnicware.
A quiet Sunday drive
A drive along the coast, countryside or familiar neighbourhoods can be a great way to get out of the house and out for some sightseeing. It doesn’t have to be far – even just some loops around the suburbs can provide a healthy change of scenery and bring a feeling of nostalgia.
Easy, shaded walks
Finding a short, shaded nature walk is easy and convenient, and costs nothing! There are a number of these types of walks in and around Auckland, and range in distance and ease of access.
If that’s not an option, even taking your loved one on a nice walk around your neighbourhood can be a rewarding, enjoyable dementia friendly summer activity.
Play in the water
Cool off in the water during the hot days! It’s a great idea to dip your loved one’s feet or hands in cool water for a refresh. Even a damp towel or sponge in the shade can be a great way to cool off and beat the summer heat.
Birdwatching
Take a drive with your loved one with dementia to a nearby domain, reserve or native path and enjoy the beautiful birdsong of New Zealand’s native birds. You don’t have to get out of the car to achieve it either. It’s a great way to reconnect with nature and centre yourself.
Don’t forget to include your loved ones too!
Your loved one will want to help in planning out your dementia friendly summer activity too! Ask them what they want to do and include them in the planning or organisation where appropriate. Even if it’s inviting them to help fold towels, lay out plastic cups at a picnic, or hold the hose in the garden, find ways to incorporate your loved one into the plan.
What should I consider when planning dementia friendly summer activities?
When you’re planning dementia friendly summer activities, choosing something that prioritises their health, safety and condition is typically the key priority. Ensuring they’re in a safe environment, where they can enjoy themselves.
No matter what you plan to do this summer, here are some friendly tips that will help make the outing more enjoyable for you and your loved one:
Bring water! It’s easy to get dehydrated in the summer heat, so pack a bottle of water and a strong plastic or metal cup that might survive being dropped.
Wear sunscreen and a hat. At its peak, New Zealand’s sun can have a burn time of less than 15 minutes. Bring quality sunscreen and apply it 20 minutes before heading into the sun, wear a hat and covered clothing. Don’t rely on just overhead shade to keep your loved one protected from the sun.
Know your environment. It pays to know where available amenities may be, including the nearest bathroom, water fountain or refill station, suitable parking and more. It also pays to know the ground or terrain and whether it’s stable, to reduce fall-risks.
Be willing to leave if needed. Due to the changeable nature of dementia, the situation may no longer suit your loved one, and they may wish to return home earlier than expected. Choosing fun, enjoyable things to do that you can easily pack up or leave without being locked into plans is a good idea. Be open and flexible when planning activities.
Spending time with your loved ones by finding dementia friendly summer activities can be enjoyable, but does require the kind of loving, patient communication we wrote about in this blog.
Got some good suggestions to add to this blog? Email us at info@ambridgerose.co.nz and let us know.