If you want to encourage older adults to stay active, try combining some fun activities into one daily outing. Short daily excursions can include a train ride, a walk to a nearby museum, or even a craft class with family caregivers and senior friends. Encourage seniors to participate in outings and fun activities that encourage social interaction. Also, don’t forget to help family members document special outings and activities by using a camera and an activity journal.
The following are some great outing activities Central Florida seniors and family caregivers may want to consider:
A train ride on the SunRail, a visit to the Morse Museum and lunch on Park Avenue
A short ride on a train, a visit to a nearby museum, and lunch on Park Avenue are great activities to combine and include in a senior’s weekly activity plan. To start, how about visitingThe Charles Hosmer Morse Museum. This well-known Orlando museum is located at 445 North Park Avenue in Winter Park, Florida. You can take a SunRail ride midmorning and hop off at the nearby Winter Park SunRail Station. Next, take a five-minute walk to the Morse Museum. After your museum visit, don’t forget to stop for lunch at one of Park Avenue’s cafes or restaurants. Seniors will enjoy three to four activities wrapped into one awesome outing.
The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum is wheelchair user accessible. Also, seniors 60 and older only pay $5 for admission. The Morse Museum offers a relaxed setting. Families will enjoy seeing the Tiffany art collection, along with the extensive collection from the American Arts and Craft Movement.
Museum hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Friday’s hours extend until 8 p.m., from November to April. Sunday hours are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays. Admission is $6 for adults, and free for children under 12 years of age. For more information about fees and hours, please visit the Morse Museum’s website or call 407-645-5311.
Don’t forget to bring along an activity journal for relatives to use. When you have a chance, talk about what they liked and encourage them to write down the names of their favorite art pieces.
Museums often have strict rules as to where exactly you may take a photograph. Ask museum attendants about their restrictions. At the Morse Museum, you are only allowed to do photography in the Daffodil Terrace Gallery, but check first.
New craft classes with seniors and family; don’t forget to document by taking pictures
Encourage loved ones to take part in activities where they can learn new skills and have the opportunity to interact with other people. Plan for art or craft classes with grandparents, grandkids or with a senior’s best friend. Also, include lunch or dinner before or after the class. Check out Michael’s one or two-day cake decorating class sessions, beginning painting or knitting and crocheting classes. Short craft classes frequently take just one to two hours, depending on the type of craft being taught.
Use journals and photographs to help recall memorable activities
Activity journals much like scrapbooks may help dementia patients recall events, with the use of photos and journal entries. When starting a new journal, encourage older adults to give their journal a fun title. Include pictures from daily outings, craft classes and gatherings.
If you are taking a train ride to Winter Park, don’t forget to take pictures on the SunRail. Include these photos in your relative’s activity journal. After an activity is over, family caregivers and seniors can review some of their favorite moments by viewing the photos and the entries made.
We hope to have inspired you in planning some fun activities for seniors and family caregivers. Stay active and encourage family members to get out and enjoy the many activities the area has to offer. And don’t forget to document and photograph those fun moments.
Senior Helpers of Orlando encourages caregivers and seniors to stay actively involved in learning new activities. Should you or a loved one need assistance and would like to inquire about our home health care services, call Senior Helpers of Orlando at 321-422-2869.
Ana P. DeLane
Senior Helpers of Orlando Team Member
Resources:
SunRail; retrieved March 2, 2016, from http://www.sunrail.com/
Winter Park; SunRail; retrieved Feb. 27, 2016, from http://www.sunrail.com/station/winter-park/
Plan Your Visit; Morse Museum; retrieved Feb. 27, 2016, fromhttp://www.morsemuseum.org/plan-your-visit
The Daffodil Terrace; Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Laurelton Hall; Morse Museum; retrieved March 2, 2016, from http://www.morsemuseum.org/on-exhibit/louis-comfort-tiffanys-laurelton-hall
Calendar of Arts and Craft Classes at Michael’s March 2016 at two Central Florida locations, retrieved from:https://classes.michaels.com/OnlineClasses/control/dateView?storeId=4742