Easy and Engaging Earth Day Activities for Seniors

Since its conception in 1970, Earth Day has become the most widely recognized secular observance across the entire world. On April 22, people everywhere take steps to make a positive impact on their natural environment. While we should be kind to the earth every day, this holiday serves as a great reminder to do so.

If you’re looking for easy and engaging Earth Day activities for seniors, consider some of the activities below. They serve as an opportunity to get outside and support your community, as well as the future generations of your family.

Start a garden

If you haven’t started your spring garden yet, Earth Day is a fantastic time to begin. Invite your family to help you determine what you should plant, and then start the garden together. This is a great activity to enjoy alongside your grandchildren, as you can continue working on it for years to come. Consider purchasing or building raised beds so you don’t have to strain yourself crouching to the ground.

Join or host a seedling swap

If you already have a garden, a seedling swap is a fun activity to engage in that helps it grow! At this event, you bring seeds or cuttings from your plants and swap them with other attendees. This is not only a way to add more life to your garden, but to grow your social circle of like-minded individuals too.

Shop at a farmer’s market

Spring marks the start of Chicago’s dozens of farmer’s markets. Support your local farmers by sampling and purchasing your produce for the week from these stands. Their small businesses will benefit from your patronage, and you’ll taste a difference in the fresh fruits and vegetables.

Donate old clothes

One of the largest producers of waste in the entire world is the clothing industry. Don’t contribute to that problem by throwing away the clothes you don’t wear anymore. Instead, donate them to a charity shop or homeless shelter. If your clothes are too worn to donate, there are still things you can do to make use of them. Old t-shirts are a great option for clean-up rags.

Join a litter clean-up event

Each year, dozens of organizations take to their local parks to pick up litter. If you are physically able, join one of these events and help return your favorite parks to their beautiful selves again. This is probably the most fulfilling activity that you can partake in on Earth Day.

Make Earth Day every day at home

There are little things you can do around the home to make a positive impact on the environment every day of the year. These are easy changes that any senior can make to their daily life with minimal effort.

• Install energy-saving light bulbs. While the initial investment is more expensive than a standard light bulb purchase, it will pay off in the end. Homes that use energy-saving light bulbs save money on their energy bills while making an impact on the environment.
• Turn off/unplug appliances when not in use. Many individuals have a bad habit of leaving lights on in uninhabited rooms or leaving appliances (like the toaster) plugged in. Similarly to using energy-saving light bulbs, turning off appliances will make an impact and save you money.
• Leave reusable shopping bags in your car. Plastic grocery bags cause a great deal of unnecessary waste. Instead of contributing to that problem, use reusable shopping bags at every possible opportunity. If you leave them in your car, you’ll be more likely to use them.
• Start a compost bin. Food waste is an unfortunately common problem, but you can help combat it by composting. The act of composting involves converting organic materials into fertilizer by allowing them to naturally decompose. While it might be a little bit of a learning curve to get started, your compost can be used to help your garden grow.
• Fix water leaks. The occasional drip might not seem like a problem, but it can end up wasting hundreds of gallons of water a week. If you notice a leak in any of your pipes, fix it as soon as possible.

Care in the comfort of your home

As you make an effort to care for the planet, don’t forget to tend to your own needs. If you need assistance with meal planning, personal care, or any other activity of daily living, an at-home caregiver can help. Call us at 773-274-9262 to learn more about our services.