Indoor Activities for Seniors to Beat the Summer Heat

Though Chicago is known for its more temperate summers, there will be days that reach intense temperatures. When temperatures start climbing, spending much time outdoors is out of the question—especially for older adults, who are more prone to heat-related illnesses. Try some of these indoor activities for seniors to beat the summer heat for ways to pass the time on excruciating days.

Have a spa day

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to pamper yourself, having a day indoors is the best time to do it. First, decide what it is you would like to focus on—your face, your feet, your whole body, or something in between—then purchase what you need. If you’re concerned about the intensity of certain products, talk to your healthcare provider before using them.

For an extra special day, invite some friends and family members over to indulge in a day of pampering too. This will make for an especially fun, relaxing afternoon.

Enjoy your indoor hobbies

If you are someone who enjoys a craft such as painting or knitting, use your time staying indoors to practice them. Set aside of block of time that allows you to thoroughly enjoy your hobby without any guilt. Practicing a hobby, especially one that produces a product, helps increase seniors’ confidence, concentration, motivation, and even their hand-eye coordination skills.

Host a movie marathon

During the hottest points in the day, the last thing you want is to spend much time moving around. So, use that period of the day to host a movie marathon. Shut off the lights and close the blinds (which will also help keep your house cool!) and put on your favorite movies. Similarly, you could make a day of it by inviting loved ones and turning the event into a potluck.

Invite people for a game night (or day)

You likely already know how beneficial card and board games are to the cognitive function of older adults. They encourage seniors to tap into their reasoning, logic, and problem-solving skills, all of which help build connections in the brain. Whether it’s Monopoly, Uno, or a friendly game of Black Jack, playing these games with a loved one is a great use of your time.

If you’d like, you can even play these games online with people across the world. Download them on your phone or tablet and give them a try.

Make a cold treat to enjoy

What better way to beat the heat is there than enjoying a refreshing treat? Try a no-bake or frozen recipe that you can enjoy in the hottest part of the day. A few easy, healthier options include:

• Strawberry frozen yogurt
• Banana pudding
• Fruit ice pops
• Possum pie

For help at home, consider home care

You may be inclined to use your time at home to clean or do laundry, but as a senior, these can be exhausting tasks. Don’t let yourself be worn down but the activities of daily living. Instead, call upon the assistance of an at-home caregiver.

At Home Care Powered by AUAF, our staff is happy to provide the compassionate service you need to age comfortably at home. To learn more about our variety of home care services, give us a call at 773-274-9262. We are happy to help.