Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Last month's introduction article to \"The Great Outdoor\" series discussed the benefits that a breath of fresh air and physical activity can have on health. Spending time outdoors exercising or just enjoying the scenery can bring about sharper mental states and happier moods, along with improved physical health and sense of wellbeing. For these reasons, spending time outdoors may be crucial for seniors who want to live alone in their own homes well into their golden years.

Seniors living alone are prone to outdoor isolation, especially after the loss of a spouse or friends. This sense of isolation can increase if seniors rarely leave home. Many seniors take advantage of group activities such as book clubs or volunteering to maintain social interaction, but spending time with nature, even alone has the potential to battle loneliness and foster a happier state of mind.

While some seniors are able to perform physical activities outdoors, such as riding bikes or playing tennis, others may be restricted due to physical limitations. However, there is a myriad of outdoor activities to be enjoyed adaptable to all levels of physical ability:

• Paint a picture -- Take an easel with paints, canvas and chair to the back yard or park and paint a picture of the scenery.
• Garden -- Container gardens are best for those with limited physical abilities. Full-scale gardens can be added to back yards for those able to be more active.
• Take pictures -- Easy-to-use digital cameras do not cost much for the fun they inspire. Sunrises, sunsets, beaches, parks, people, flowers in the neighborhood...the sky is the limit when becoming a photography buff. Arranging pictures in albums later can become a fun activity, sparking interesting conversations and memories.
• Go fish -- Fishing is a treasured pastime for many men and women. Local beaches, lakes and some ponds are available to the public.
• Build something - Build birdhouses or simple water features in the back yard, which can offer a fun activity with benefits to be enjoyed long after the building is complete.
• Play games -- Easy-to use-outdoor games include croquet, horseshoes of the plastic variety and corn hole (bean bag toss).

All of these activities can be and should be, performed with friends, family and/or caregivers. Participating in any activity with other people fosters closeness, a greater sense of self and something to look forward to for all involved. The memories created when spending time together can make all the difference in the world, not just in the life of a senior, but for friends and family of all ages.

^{References
Statepoint Media (2012). Prepare your home for summer weather.
Frugaldad.com (2008). Preparing your home for summer temperatures.
WebMD.com. Caregiving and your loved one's health.}