Bringing Back Summers of Yesteryear with Senior Loved Ones

Nowadays the kids love to call it vintage. But for our senior loved ones, it is their past, and much of it is filled with fond memories. For some fun this summer, why not bring back some of those summers of yesteryear with your seniors, and have some fun like they used to have. There are many ways you can have a “vintage” summer, from special food, to outfits, to games in the backyard. Here are some ideas you can do with your senior loved one this summer.

I Scream U Scream

Plan an ice cream social reminiscent of the good old days. Set up an ice cream sundae bar with a variety of flavors, toppings and sauces. You can grab some fresh fruit from local farmers markets in the Webster area to add strawberries, raspberries or pineapple to your sundae, but you also need hot fudge and lots of it. If your senior has some fancy ice cream dishes, haul those out for the occasion. As you eat, have them share stories about ice cream parlors they used to visit and the flavors they loved. Did their church host an ice cream social as was popular in years gone by? Find out how often they got to eat ice cream as a child.

The Bigger the Better

Whether you’re hosting an afternoon tea or just sitting in the yard with your senior, find some fun hats to wear. Maybe they have a stash in their closet of old fashioned hats with wide brims. Pull those out, and use them to shield the sun from your face on a warm afternoon. If not, grab some wide brimmed hats from the store that are reminiscent of the olden days. You can even decorate them with flowers from the garden.

Get Crafty

Get those creative juices flowing by doing some arts and crafts projects with your senior loved one inspired by the summers of yesteryear. Create sun catchers to hang, paint flower pots with colorful designs or make personalized wind chimes using seashells or vintage trinkets. You can even make a scrapbook featuring photos of yesteryear. Decoupaging an old photo of your senior during summer onto a flower pot or other item can be fun, and a great reminder for them of their youth.

Picnic Together

Whether it is in your backyard or at a local park, spread out a blanket and have some homemade sandwiches and snacks together. Make it traditional with things such as egg salad sandwiches, homemade lemonade, fresh-baked desserts and of course fruit salad or more aptly Waldorf salad. Slip your shoes off, lay back on the blanket, and see what shapes you can find in the clouds. Daydream and tell stories together.

Have A Competition

Whether it is a watermelon eating contest or a game of horseshoes, set up some friendly games with your senior loved ones this summer. Leave the Jarts tucked into the deck box, as they’re considered dangerous nowadays. Instead, go for a game of croquet, Zim Zam or bags. You can even try out kick the can or kick ball with your senior to see if they’ve still got it. Is this the year when you'll finally beat them at badminton? Give it a shot. For some real laughs, try a three-legged race or a pie eating contest - all fun reminders of the vintage fun your seniors used to have.

Here to Help

If you are looking for someone to help the seniors in your life, our caregivers at Visiting Angels Webster can help. We have trained caregivers who offer a variety of services, including companion care, personal care, fall prevention, respite care and care for seniors suffering from dementia or Alzheimers. We will tailor our care plans to your senior’s needs. Our companions can help with shopping, light meal prep and light housekeeping.

We serve seniors in Southeast Houston and the Bay Area Communities, including El Lago, Webster, Pearland, Friendswood, Kemah, League City, Dickinson, Taylor Lake Village, Deer Park, Pasadena, Seabrook, San Leon, Texas City, Clear Lake Shores and Brookside Village. We can come to your home, find out what needs you have, and develop a care plan tailored to your needs. Call us at 832-632-2273 for more information.

If you are interested in caring for senior clients in the community, visit us online to find out more about a career in home care.